DE2823057A1 - Semipermeable membrane unit - having set of spacers and membrane with appropriate holes which can be combined in modular form - Google Patents

Abstract

Semi-permeable membrane to separate components in a liq. mixt. is of flat modular construction held together in compression, by sticking or welding. It has branches for introducing the liq. and recovering the concentrate and permeate. A permeate collection chamber is formed by spacers covered by the membrane. These chambers are kept gas and liq. tight. Connections are built into the spacers so that liq. can enter and drain from the chambers. Holes are bored around the edge to form symmetrical flow passages when the unit is assembled parallel to its axis. These serve for introducing the fluid and draining off the permeate. For separation processes such as ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. Gives a system which is cheap to produce and assemble, and which can be rapidly dismantled.

Description

Flat membrane pressure enhancement module

The invention relates to a device with semi-permeable membranes for the separation of components of a fluid feed, consisting of a stack of flat membrane module elements that are produced by applying pressure, gluing or welding are sealingly connected to each other at their disc-shaped edges and containing On the front sides in the edge area of the flat membrane module feed and discharge options for the fluid to be separated and a discharge option for the permeate.

Such devices are used for pressure permeation, i.e. ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis. In addition to the energy and personnel costs are for the economic Operation, the investment costs are decisive. Previously known permeation modules are expensive and prone to repair, and especially the costs for the Loss of production and the membrane replacement costs play a role in the profitability calculation significant role.

If high pressures are required for a separation process, either only flat membrane modules or externally loaded high-fiber modules are in question. from internally loaded fiber modules are limited to small prints.

In the case of fiber modules, there is also a high level of pre-cleaning of the material to be separated Fluids required.

The device according to the invention includes a device for water desalination closest, as described in German Offenlegungsschrift 25 56 210 is. However, the production of the flat membrane modules described there is very complicated, and sealing problems occur in particular.

The object of the invention is a device for separating the components to develop a fluid feed, in particular for separating a liquid, which allows an economical operation, for which the production costs are low and which can be quickly dismantled.

The object is achieved in that a flat membrane module element is constructed from a permeate collecting chamber covered on both sides with a membrane with spacers on both sides, each of which is disk-shaped Edge areas of the spacers and the permeate collection chamber can absorb pressure and fluid and are gastight and contain holes that assembled to the device form pressure-resistant channels, with connections of the bore for the supply and / or discharge of the fluid to be separated into the interior of the spacer or

from the bore for discharging the permeate into the interior of the permeate collection chamber are present, and the arrangement of the holes in the edge region is such that with respect to a plane of symmetry in which the longitudinal axis of the device lies, and the connection of inlet and outlet bores for the fluid to be separated on this Level is perpendicular and this connection intersects the longitudinal axis of the device, and there are at least 2 bores for draining off the permeate and the flat membrane module elements to the overall module are assembled so that of the holes that make a connection to the permeate collection chamber have at least one parallel to the module axis Channel for draining off the permeate is formed.

The device according to the invention is characterized by its particular simplicity the end. A module consists only of simple standardized elements, and that can in many cases lead to an economically viable single-use solution (disposable module). However, the replacement of individual elements also requires little time and Maintenance effort. A single divider can be very flat; the power density the separation units is high.

It is also possible to operate at high pressures. Is beneficial with these module elements the relatively low and uncritical risk of contamination. Another The advantage of the device according to the invention is theirs universal applicability. Operation is possible with a single element type, in which all or a part (also in mixed order) of the flat membrane module elements are connected in parallel or in series. Separation systems can be created with one element type put together for very different performance areas. Because on metallic materials can be omitted with this module, many corrosion problems can be avoided. The parting surface based on weight or space is large.

The device according to the invention is shown by way of example in the drawing shown and further explained below. They show: FIG. 1 one of 7 parts constructed flat membrane module element; Figure 2 is made of flat membrane module elements composite pressure permeation module; Figure 3 different types of training the edge area; Figure 4 different types of connection of the holes in the edge area with the inside of the disc; FIG. 5 operation of a module in parallel connection; figure 6 shows a special form of spacer; Figure 7 operation of a module in series.

The flat membrane module element shown in FIG. 1 consists of 7 disk-shaped parts 1 to 7, which in the edge area by welding or gluing or tightly connected to one another by pressurization. Parts 2 to 6 form the permeate collection chamber with the membranes; parts 1 and 7 form the Spacers. There are 6 holes in the edge area of all elements; at a composite flat membrane module are thereby 6 axially parallel channels 8 to 13 formed. In this flat membrane module element, parts 1 and 7, 3 and 5 are same. In the spacer 1, the bore 11 is open 14 toward the inner space of the ring. In the spacer 7 appears to be another connection 15 of the interior with the Hole 8 to be present; the part 7, however, goes through a rotation of 1800 to the Module axis into part 1.

In part 5 there are connections 16, 17 of all 4 holes 9, 10, 12, 13 present with the ring interior. The separation membranes 2 and 6 are with respect to the arrangement of the holes in the edge is not the same. They must be installed in such a way that this layer faces the spacer 1 and 7, respectively. The Elements 3 and 5 are support layers for the diaphragm 2 and 6. The middle element 4 is the permeate collecting layer, from there permeate enters the permeate discharge channels 9, 10, 12, 13.

If the flat membrane module elements according to FIG. 1 are layered on top of one another in the same way, a module is created as shown in FIG. All flat membrane module elements are connected in parallel. The fluid to be separated is, for example above 21 entered. This opening 22 is closed on the other side of the module. Only one opening 23 is also used for the drain. The permeate occurs in 4 places 24, 25, 26, the openings 27, 28 belonging to the bores 9 and 12 are here locked.

The module shown in Figures 1 and 2 is particularly simple. Elements 1 and 7, 3 and 5 and 4, respectively, are 3 types of 3 washers that can be found in distinguish their connections of the holes to the interior. You can preferably efficiently manufactured from thermoplastics and possibly reinforced thermosets will. However, the flat membrane module and the channel bores are not open the circular shape is limited. Some other possible embodiments of the elements are shown in FIG.

In the partial image a) the interior space 31 is, for example, oval. In the drawing file b), for example, the outer cross-section of the module is twelve-sided, the inner cross-section circular. Another possible variant in this example is the two adjacent bores for permeate drainage connected to one another 32. In the partial image c) the outer contour is square, as are the bores 33, 34 for supply and discharge of the fluid. The two bores for discharging the permeate 35 are also slot-shaped here connected with each other.

The permeate collection chamber can be constructed in various ways. In principle, it is easily possible, the parts 3, 4, 5 of Figure 1 to one To summarize unity. For operation, however, it is crucial that the Support membranes 2 and 6 evenly. The membranes can only provide limited support and take over sealing functions. When items 3 and 5 have the same connections 16, 17 as the element 4, it can close at these points in the case of the membranes Difficulties come.

Another alternative would be the chamber combined from 3,4,5 to drill from the inside in the middle to the permeate holes 9,10,12,13; manufacturing technology The simplest is a permeate collection chamber made up of 3 parts, especially since each one is then Functional area can be optimally designed. The support layer in the elements 3 and 5 must form a flat base for the membranes 2 and 6, respectively. The interior the permeate collecting layer 7 is usually also filled with porous material and can in turn contribute to the support of the support layers in parts 3 and 5. Channels can be scratched into the interior to improve the drainage of the permeate or the layer must be removed in front of the holes. Examples are in the Figure 4 shown.

It is in each case the part 4 of Figure 1 with a Edge area 41 and the inner space, which is filled with a porous material 42. Only the various options are shown here schematically. At a usable element will be limited to one type. The location of the holes in the edge area has no reference to the invention in this figure.

The connection 43 with a milled-out part of the edge has become highlighted as the standard type. At 44 is the permeate discharge channel from the inside drilled forward.

At 45 and 46 there are channels in the porous to improve drainage Material 42 milled.

The operation of a module according to the invention in parallel is shown in FIG. Flat membrane module elements in Figure 1 are congruent layered one behind the other.

In this drawing, the permeate collection chamber 51 is as a complex shown. In 51, for example, the elements 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 from FIG. 1 are combined. Each permeate collection chamber 51 is a spacer 1 in front of and the same spacer connected downstream as element 7, but turned against it by 1800. At 52 it flows in separating fluid to, at 53 from. The channels for draining off the permeate are in this Sectional view not recognizable.

A variant of the spacer according to the invention is shown in FIG. The spacer 61 extends both from the inlet channel 11 and from the outlet channel 8 a connection 62, 63 to the interior of the spacer. With a parallel connection As in FIG. 5, with appropriate thicknesses, the spacer can be placed on a spacer can be omitted during assembly.

A series connection is shown schematically in FIG.

A flat membrane module element consists of the permeate collection chamber 51 and from 2 spacers 1 from FIG. 1.

Two successive flat membrane module elements are in the same direction placed on top of each other, but there are 2 successive pairs of flat membrane module elements twisted so that 2 non-analogous holes for the permeate drain are on top of each other, so that a continuous channel parallel to the module axis for discharging the permeate is formed. In the case of parts as in FIG. 1, this means that the 3rd and 4th flat membrane module elements at approx.

300 is twisted; the 5th and 6th is turned back by 300, so have the same position as the 1st and 2nd etc. The flow of the fluid is included temporarily not in the plane of the drawing and therefore the gradient is in this area Drawn in dashed lines.

To improve a turbulent flow in the interior between The spacers can contain mixing elements, e.g. in the form of a corrugated sieve or a type of disc.

In a form of the module as shown, for example, in FIG. 3 c) is, the cover of the inlet and outlet for the fluid to be separated is not through causes a rotation, but preferably by a linear displacement of the two Plates. The shift must go so far that the holes 33 and 34 from the edge of the adjacent spacers are covered, but via the slots 35 still a continuous connection of the permeate discharge channel is maintained. It understands that one or two connections of the spacers Drilling 33 or 34 must be available to the interior, as well as the permeate collection chambers a connection of 32 to the interior. In the case of series connection is then in the same way an operation as in FIG. 7 is possible.

The distance between 2 membranes is determined by the thickness of the Spacers; Distances between 0.1 and 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, are common.

The structure of the module according to the invention is largely independent of the nature of the membrane. It can be relatively coarse-pored or fine-pored Filter membrane act to a symmetrical or asymmetrical ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis membrane or a composite membrane, which may be used directly has been generated on the module element. The membrane thickness is generally below 1 mm.

The material of the support layer should, if possible, be used at pressures of up to 100 bar lose little of the permeability for the permeate and through swelling processes do not change morphologically. The following are possible: sintered ceramics, sintered metal, organically or inorganically bound powders, porous plastic films, fabrics, fleeces made of synthetic, organic or inorganic fibers or glass fibers. The fat is generally between 1 and 0.1 mm.

The permeate collecting layer is constructed similarly to the support layer; however, it is preferably more coarse-pored.

The entire pressure permeation module is used in addition to gluing and welding preferably compressed and held by screwing by means of tie rods. the Tie rods usually run parallel to the axis. You can use both outside and inside another hole in the edge area of the elements, and under certain circumstances even in the bore for the fluid, preferably for the permeate.

A module is built on the modular principle. Usually there are none special sealing rings required.

End plates are attached with connectors at the beginning and end of the module for the fluid to be separated and the discharge of the permeate.

Above all, the separating elements according to the invention can be used in the area of environmental protection, for the clarification or processing of dyeing water, waste water from galvon technology, separation of oil emissions, in wine and beer production, in the extraction of ingredients from whey.

Claims (10)

Claims 1. Device with semi-permeable membranes for Separation of components of a fluid feed consisting of a stack of flat membrane module elements that are produced by applying pressure, gluing or welding are sealingly connected to one another at their disc-shaped edges, and containing On the front sides in the edge area of the flat membrane module feed and discharge options for the fluid to be separated and a discharge option for the permeate, characterized in that that a flat membrane module element is composed of a membrane on both sides (2,6) covered permeate collection chamber (51) with spacers on both sides (1,7,61), whereby the disc-shaped edge areas of the spacers (1,7,61) and the permeate collection chamber (51) can absorb pressure and are liquid-tight and gas-tight are and bores (8,9,10,11,12,13,32,33,34,35) contain the device assembled pressure-resistant channels (21, 23, 24, 25, 26) form, with connections (14, 15, 16, # 17, 62, 63) from the holes for the supply and / or discharge of the to separating fluids into the interior of the spacer or from the bore for discharge of the permeate are present in the interior of the permeate collection chamber, and the arrangement of the holes in the edge area is such that with respect to a plane of symmetry, in which the longitudinal axis of the device lies and the connection of inlet and outlet bores for the fluid to be separated is perpendicular to this plane and these Connection intersects the longitudinal axis of the device, and at least 2 holes (9,10,32,35) are available for the discharge of the permeate and the flat membrane module elements are assembled to the overall module in such a way that of the bores (9,10,12,13,32,35) which have a connection from the interior of the permeate collection chamber, at least one in parallel to the module axis running channel for draining off the permeate is formed. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat membrane module elements are assembled to the overall module in such a way that the holes (8,9,10,11, 12,13,32,33,35) Continuous channels in the edge area of the flat membrane module element (21,22,23,24,25,27,51,53) form. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat membrane module elements in the overall module 2 times in a position I and 2 times in a position II and then again consecutively 2 x I, 2 x II etc. follow one another, whereby the position II differs from position I in that the non-analog holes for the permeate between the flat membrane module elements in position I and II the parallel to the axis extending permeate collecting channel (24,25) and on the side where the two flat membrane module elements butt against each other in different positions Bores (8, 11) for the inflow and outflow of the fluid to be separated through the disk-shaped Edge area of the adjacent spacer are mutually covered. 4. Device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flat membrane module elements are essentially cylindrically symmetrical, all bores lie on a circle in the edge area of the spacers and the permeate collection chamber and the position II by a rotation around the cylinder axis, preferably by 5 to 400 emerges from position I. 5. Device according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flat membrane module elements are essentially cuboid and the Position II emerges from position I by a linear shift. 6. Device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the permeate collection chamber (51) is in turn composed of 3 parts, each of which has a disk-shaped edge region which are sealingly connected to one another can be, and where in each edge area the pressure-resistant bores for the inlet and Discharge of the fluid to be separated and at least 2 holes for discharging the Permeate are present, with a compound (16,17) in the middle part of the element. each hole for the permeate drainage to the interior is available and the first and the third element part is designed as a support element for the membrane. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the interior of the middle part of the element in the meat collecting chamber so designed is that the sealing and provided with the corresponding holes in the edge area Membranes lying between this middle element and the spacers membrane foils be adequately supported and thus separate support element parts can be omitted. 8. Device according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the spacers (1,7) in front of and behind the permeate collection chamber in the shape of a circular disk and are ring-shaped and identical, with the holes oriented on the dial are in the following positions: 12 and 6 for the fluid to be separated, 3, 4, 9 and 10 for the permeate, a connection (14) from the bore (11) in the position 12 is present in the interior of the spacer, but by turning it by 1800 also a connection from the bore in position 6 to the interior of the spacer can be formed. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that bores for the permeate based on the dial are only available in positions 3 and 4. 10. Device according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the two adjacent bores for draining off the permeate in the edge area are slit-shaped (32,35) are connected to each other.