FILTRATION ELEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a element (12) for filtering fluids comprising an element housing (14), wherein at least one membrane arrangement (22) and at least one permeate collecting tube (18, 19) are arranged within the element housing (14) and wherein the at least one permeate collecting tube (18, 19) is arranged in an outer part (44) of the filtration element (12). The invention further relates to a filtration module (10) and a filtration system (11) comprising such a filtration element (12) as well as uses of such a filtration element (12).

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A filtration system comprising multiple filtration modules arranged in series, each filtration module including a module housing, wherein at least one filtration element for filtering fluids comprising an element housing, wherein at least one membrane arrangement and at least one permeate collecting tube are arranged within the element housing, wherein the at least one permeate collecting tube is arranged in an outer part of the filtration element is arranged within the module housing, wherein the filtration modules are mounted horizontally and wherein the filtration elements are arranged such that the at least one permeate collecting tube is located substantially at the top of the filtration module.

16. The filtration system of claim 15, wherein the at least one permeate collecting tube is arranged within an outer circumferential ring of the filtration element.

17. The filtration system of claim 15, wherein the permeate collecting tube is located within the filtration element such that the permeate collecting tube at least partially touches the element housing.

18. The filtration system of claim 15, wherein at least two permeate collecting tubes are arranged within the element housing.

19. The filtration system of claim 18, wherein at least two permeate collecting tubes are arranged opposite each other in the outer part of the filtration element.

20. The filtration system of claim 15, wherein the filtration element further comprises a perforated tube arranged around the membrane arrangement.

21. The filtration system of claim 20, wherein the perforated tube is arranged, such that an annular gap is formed between the element housing and the perforated tube.

22. The filtration system of claim 15, wherein the membrane arrangement comprises at least one substrate forming channels and at least one active layer arranged in the channels forming capillaries.

23. The filtration system of claim 15, wherein multiple filtration elements are arranged within the module housing in parallel.

24. The filtration system of claim 15, wherein fluid connection over the filtration modules is realised by adapters, which connect the filtration modules such that permeate can flow from one filtration module to the next filtration module.

25. The filtration system of claim 18, wherein the other permeate collecting tube is arranged substantially at the bottom of the filtration element.

26. An ultrafiltration process for water treatment, comprising contacting water with the filtration system of claim 15.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] For a better understanding of the aforementioned embodiments of the invention as well as additional embodiments thereof, reference should be made to the Description of Embodiments below, in conjunction with the appended drawings showing:

[0040] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a filtration module including one embodiment of a filtration element,

[0041] FIG. 2 detailed views of a multi bore membrane of FIG. 1,

[0042] FIG. 3 a perspective view of the filtration module including another embodiment of the filtration element,

[0043] FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of the filtration module including the filtration element according to FIG. 3,

[0044] FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view illustrating the filtration element of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 in filtration mode,

[0045] FIG. 6 a cross-sectional view illustrating the filtration element of FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 in backwash mode,

[0046] FIG. 7 an embodiment of a filtration system comprising multiple filtration modules as shown in FIG. 1, 3 or 4 in series.

[0047] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings only provide schematic views of the invention. Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts, elements or components throughout the figures, unless indicated otherwise.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view on a filtration module 10 including one embodiment of a filtration element 12.

[0049] The filtration module 10 includes the filtration element 12 which is arranged within a module housing 39. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 fluid to be filtered, such as raw water, is fed to the filtration module 10 and in particular to the filtration element 12 from the left as indicated by arrow 16. The raw water is at least partly filtered through the filtration element 12 and permeate is collected in a permeate collecting tube 18. Waste water, brine or concentrate, which is not filtered through the filtration element 12, is in the configuration shown in FIG. 1 discharged to the right as indicated by arrow 20. Furthermore, raw water at least partly flows through the module housing 39 to e.g. another filtration module 10 connected in series.

[0050] The filtration element 12, which is arranged within the module housing 39, comprises an element housing 14, a multi bore membrane arrangement 22 particularly suitable for microfiltration, ultrafiltration or nanofiltration. The multi bore membrane arrangement 22 comprises several but at least one multi-bore membrane 23 explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. The multi-bore membrane 23 includes several capillaries 24, which act as filter medium and extend along the longitudinal axes of the filtration module 10. The element housing 14, the permeate collecting tube 18 and the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 are fixed at each end in membrane holders 26 comprising a resin preferably consisting of epoxy, in which the element housing 14, the permeate collecting tube 18 and the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 are embedded.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a single multi bore membrane 23 as indicated by the circle 28 in FIG. 1 and a further detailed view of one capillary 24, 30 of the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 as indicated by circle 32 in FIG. 2.

[0052] The capillaries 24, 30 include a porous substrate 36 forming channels 25, which extend longitudinally along the length of the multi bore membrane arrangement 22. Inside the channels 25 an active layer 34 is arranged as filtration layer, which can either be incorporated into a substrate 36 with a different pore size or which can be formed by a coating. The capillaries 24, 30 are thus embedded in the porous substrate 36, which aids stability and avoids capillary rupture.

[0053] The porous substrate 36 of the multi bore membrane 23 is formed by a polymer, such as polysulphone type polymers, cellulose acetate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene. For example polyethersulfon or polysulfon are used to form the porous substrate 36 by extrusion, in particular by wet spinning. In wet spinning a suitable polymer is dissolved in a solvent, optionally adding additives and extruded through a spinneret for forming the multi bore membrane 23. After extrusion the membrane is coagulated and dissolvable components are removed. Such multi bore membranes 23 having an outer diameter of for instance 4 mm include for instance seven capillaries 24 with an inner diameter of 0.9 mm and a pore size of 0.02 m. Other multi bore membranes 23 having an outer diameter of for instance 6 mm and allowing for higher sediment concentrations for instance include seven capillaries 24 with an inner diameter of 1.5 mm and a pore size of 0.02 m.

[0054] Further with reference to FIG. 1 the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 comprises a permeate collecting tube 18, which is arranged within the filtration element 12. In particular, the permeate collecting tube 18 is arranged at an outer circumferences of the filtration element 12 and comprises a tube including openings (not shown), which allow permeate to flow into the permeate collecting tube 18 conducting the permeate out of the filtration element 12.

[0055] In operation, the filtration module 10 is oriented horizontally, and the orientation of the permeate collecting tube 18 is chosen as depicted in FIG. 1. Here the orientation is chosen such that permeate collecting tube 18 is located at the top of the filtration element 12, i.e. at the twelve o'clock position, and touches the element housing 14. This allows the filtration element 12 to be vented easily, in particular upon start-up of the filtration module 10. Furthermore, the location of the permeate collecting tube 18 provides for an even pressure distribution within the multi bore membrane arrangement 22. In particular, the cross-section of the multi bore membrane arrangement 22, which the permeate flow flows through, is not reduced and thus, the flow velocity remains even across the whole cross-section of the multi bore membrane arrangement 22. In contrast, when placing the permeate collecting tube 18 in the central part of the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 the cross-section reduces towards the central tube and the flow velocity increases, which results in a higher pressure applied to the capillaries 24 close to the central tube. Thus, the disadvantages resulting from the central location of the permeate collecting tube 18 are abandoned and an even pressure distribution in radial direction is achieved.

[0056] The filtration element 12 as depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 1 further comprises a perforated tube 38 enclosing the multi bore membrane arrangement 22. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the perforated tube 38 encloses the permeate collecting tube 18. In other embodiments the perforated tube 38 encloses the permeate collecting tube 18 only partly or not at all. The perforation of the tube 38 can be of any kind. In the example of FIG. 1 the perforation comprises holes 40 in the tube 38, which allow for fluid flow. With the perforated tube 38 enclosing the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 an annular gap 42 is formed between the element housing 14 and the perforated tube 38. In operation, i.e. in filtration and back wash operation, this allows for an even distribution of water within the filtration element 12. In particular an even pressure distribution is also reached in axial flow direction.

[0057] As a result the filtration module 10 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 provides an optimized filtration and back washing performance of the multi bore membrane arrangement 22. Furthermore, the radial pressure across the capillaries 24 of the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 and the axial pressure along the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 are evenly distributed, which reduces the risk of capillary rupture and increases the filtered volume.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a filtration module 10 including another embodiment of the filtration element 12.

[0059] The filtration module 10 shown in FIG. 3 is substantially similar to the one shown in FIG. 1. The filtration module 10 comprises a filtration element 12 embedded within a module housing 39. The filtration module 10 further includes a multi bore membrane arrangement 22 as described with reference to FIG. 2, which is located inside an element housing 14 and enclosed by a perforated tube 38 as also shown in FIG. 1.

[0060] However, in contrast to FIG. 1 the filtration element 12 of FIG. 3 comprises two permeate colleting tubes 18, 19, which are arranged at an outer circumference of the filtration element 12.

[0061] The two permeate collecting tubes 18, 19 are arranged opposite each other. For operation the filtration module 10 is mounted horizontally such that a first permeate collecting tube 18 is located at the top of the filtration element 12, i.e. in cross-sectional view at the twelve o'clock position, and a second permeate collecting tube 19 is located at the bottom of the filtration element 12, i.e. in cross-sectional view at the six o'clock position. By using two permeate collecting tubes 18, 19 as shown in FIG. 3 the output volume of permeate by constant pressure discharged from the filtration element 12 is increased, while still maintaining an even pressure distribution in axial and radial flow direction of the filtration module 10 as explained in the context of FIG. 1.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the filtration module 10 of FIG. 3.

[0063] The view of FIG. 4 illustrates the position of the permeate collecting tubes 18, 19 within the filtration module 10. Here the details of the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 are omitted for clarity reasons. The two permeate collecting tubes 18, 19 are arranged opposite each other in the circumferential ring 44 of the filtration element 12 inside the element housing 14. For operation, the filtration module 10 is mounted horizontally. In the horizontal orientation the location of the permeate collecting tubes 18, 19 is chosen such that the first permeate collecting tube 18 is located at the top of the filtration element 12, i.e. in cross-sectional view at the twelve o'clock position, and the second permeate collecting tube 19 is located at the bottom of the filtration element 12, i.e. in cross-sectional view at the six o'clock position.

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the filtration element 12 in filtration mode.

[0065] In filtration mode raw water is fed to the filtration module 10 as described in the context of figures 1 and 3, wherein FIG. 5 exemplary illustrates the flow for one permeate collecting tube 18 at the top of the filtration element 12. Furthermore, the structure of the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 is omitted for clarity reasons.

[0066] The raw water is filtered through the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 and in particular through the active layer 34 of the capillaries 24. The filtered water is collected in the annular gap 42 between the perforated tube 38 and element housing 14 and in the permeate collecting tube 18. The permeate collecting tube 18 extends over the whole length of the filtration element 12 and also includes perforations or openings for the permeate to enter the permeate collecting tube 18. The permeate is discharged through the permeate collecting tube 18, which conducts the permeate out of the filtration module 10.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the filtration element 12 in back-wash mode.

[0068] In back wash mode the flow is reversed to filtration mode in order to remove retentate, such as suspended particles or microorganisms, from the capillaries 24, which can gather a fouling layer on the active layer 34 thus reducing the filtering effect. Therefore, filtered water is fed through the permeate collecting tube 18 and flows into the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 as well as the annular gap 42 between the perforated tube 38 and the element housing 14. This way the filtered water penetrates the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 in reverse direction and removes fouling layers within the capillaries 24 formed during filtration.

[0069] In both modes, i.e. in filtration and in back wash mode as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pressure on the capillaries 24 is distributed evenly. Thus the filtration can be done in an effective way loading outer and inner capillaries 24 of the multi bore membrane arrangement 22 to a similar extent and further enhance the filtration effect. At the same time the back-wash mode can be done in a more effective way, as due to the even pressure distribution, the back-washing affects inner and outer capillaries 24 in a similar way. Unlike embodiments with a central permeate collecting tube, where the effect of back-wash is inversely distributed across the capillaries 24 compared to filtration, i.e. capillaries 24 collecting more particles in filtration mode are cleaned less effectively in back-wash mode.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a filtration system 11 comprising multiple filtration modules 10 in series.

[0071] The filtration modules 10 as described herein are particularly useful in micro-, ultra- and nanofiltration systems. In order to provide for a sufficient output volume at a constant pressure several filtration modules 10 are connected in series. Here each filtration module 10 is mounted horizontally with the same orientation of the permeate collecting tube 18 in order to provide for fluid connection over several filtration modules 10. The connection is realised by adapters 50, which connect the filtration modules 10 such that permeate can flow from one filtration module 10 to the next filtration module 10. In particular, the adapters 50 allow for permeate flow between the permeate collecting tubes 18. The detailed constructions of such adapters are known to the person skilled in the art and are therefore not described in further detail here.

[0072] The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings and those encompassed by the attached claims. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0073] 10 filtration module

[0074] 12 filtration element

[0075] 14 element housing

[0076] 16 arrow indication flow direction

[0077] 18 permeate collecting tube

[0078] 20 arrow indication flow direction

[0079] 22 multi bore membrane arrangement

[0080] 23 multi bore membrane

[0081] 24 capillaries

[0082] 26 membrane holders

[0083] 28 indication circle

[0084] 30 capillary

[0085] 32 indication circle

[0086] 34 active layer

[0087] 36 substrate

[0088] 38 perforated tube

[0089] 39 module housing

[0090] 40 holes of the perforation

[0091] 42 annular gap

[0092] 44 circumferential ring