JP2000042375A - Separation membrane module, module connector, and separation membrane module assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a separation membrane module connection body in which a connection portion is securely fixed and the connection portion is excellent in sealing property, and a separation membrane module and a module connector constituting the same. SOLUTION: As the separation membrane module 10, a connector fixing means 16 for fixing a module connector 20 at both ends is used.
Module fixing means 2 for fixing separation membrane module 10
1 is formed, and the separation membrane module 10 is connected via a module connector 20 as a separation membrane module connection body, and the connector fixing means 16 and the module fixing means 21 are arranged in the axial direction. The one that is engaged by applying a force other than the above is used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a separation membrane module used for separating gas and liquid, a module connector for connecting the separation membrane modules, and a plurality of separation membrane modules via the module connector. The present invention relates to a connected separation membrane module connected body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Separation membrane modules are used in the field of microfiltration such as the production of aseptic water, high-purity water, drinking water, etc., and purification of air, as well as secondary and tertiary treatments in sewage treatment plants, and septic tanks. It has also been applied to the field of highly polluting water treatment such as solid-liquid separation. Furthermore, in the case of using a membrane for deaeration and air supply, deaeration treatment for removing gas from liquid,
It can be applied to a process for enriching a liquid with a gas. For example, in order to prevent corrosion of boiler piping, water used for the boiler is degassed in advance to remove oxygen, LS
I. Removal of dissolved oxygen and dissolved carbon dioxide gas from the LSD cleaning water, and furthermore, as described in JP-A-5-17712, the dissolved gas in the ink is filtered and removed through a gas-permeable membrane. Treatment, and conversely, treatment of adding carbon dioxide to water to produce carbonated water.

[0003] Such a separation membrane module is used for
Depending on the required processing capacity, it is often used as a linked body of multiple pieces. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a deaeration treatment apparatus in which a conventional separation membrane module assembly using a hollow fiber membrane as a separation membrane is housed in a housing. FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing an example of a connection portion between a conventional separation membrane module and a module connector. The separation membrane module connecting body 40 includes a columnar separation membrane module 41 provided with a plurality of holes 43 on a side surface, and a cylindrical module connecting unit 42 connecting the separation membrane modules 41. The housing 50 is
It is cylindrical and can be divided into caps 51 at both ends and a casing 52. The housing 50 has a stock solution supply port 53, a processing solution discharge port 54, and a gas supply / discharge port 5.
5, 56 are formed. Inside the housing 50,
Module seats 57, 57 for fixing both ends of the separation membrane module connected body 40, and pipes 5 respectively connecting the module seats 57, 57, the stock solution supply port 53, and the processing solution discharge port 54
8, 59 are provided. As shown in FIG. 11, the separation membrane module 41 includes a plurality of separation membranes 46 fixed at both ends in an open state by a resin fixing portion 45, a cylindrical support 47 containing the separation membranes 46, And an elastic ring 48 attached to both ends of the body 47.

[0004] In this deaeration processing apparatus, first, a cap 51 on one side of a housing 50 is removed, a separation membrane module connecting body 40 in which a plurality of separation membrane modules 41 are connected is inserted into the housing 50, and both ends thereof are connected. It is mounted on the module seats 57, 57, and the cap 51 is closed to be assembled. When this deaeration processing apparatus is used as, for example, an ink deaeration processing apparatus, it is used as follows. Ink to be processed is supplied from the undiluted solution supply port 53 into the hollow fiber membrane 46 in the connected separation membrane module 40,
At the same time, the air in the housing 50 is evacuated from the gas supply / discharge ports 55 and 56 using a vacuum pump or the like. By degassing the inside of the housing 50, the gas contained in the ink is degassed from the stock solution through a multi-layered separation membrane having a gas selective permeable non-porous thin film in the intermediate layer. The ink thus degassed is discharged out of the filtering device through the processing liquid discharge port 54.

[0005]

The separation membrane module 41 in this conventional separation membrane module connection body 40 is merely fitted to the module connection device 42, and is not sufficiently fixed to the module connection device 42. Was. Therefore, when inserting the separation membrane module connection body 40 into the housing 50, the separation membrane module 41 at the end of the separation membrane module connection body 40 becomes unstable and becomes unstable, and the terminal is attached to the module seat 57 in the housing 50. There was a disadvantage that it was difficult. Furthermore, when the housing 50 is installed vertically, there is a risk that the separation membrane module 41 may fall off from the end of the connected separation membrane module assembly 40 or from the middle thereof when the housing 50 is inserted from above. In addition, wobbling causes a state in which the connection between the separation membrane module 41 and the module connector 42 is not sufficiently sealed, and thus a problem such as leakage of the processing liquid from the connection occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a separation membrane module connection body in which the connection portion is securely fixed and the connection portion has excellent sealing properties, and a separation membrane module and a module connection device constituting the same. Is to do.

[0007]

An object of the present invention is to provide a separation membrane comprising: a separation membrane; and a support for supporting and fixing at least one end of the separation membrane, wherein both ends of the support are cylindrical.
In addition, the invention is solved by a separation membrane module characterized in that connector fixing means for fixing a module connector is formed at both ends. Further, it is preferable that the connector fixing means in the separation membrane module comprises a screwing means which is threaded on an end of the support.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a coupler connected to a plurality of separation membrane modules and having a water passage formed therein, wherein module fixing means for fixing the separation membrane module is formed. To solve the problem. Further, it is preferable that the module fixing means in the module coupler be a screwing means formed on the inner wall surface or the outer wall surface. Further, it is preferable that a non-slip is provided on an outer wall surface of the module coupler.

The problem is that a plurality of separation membrane modules each having a separation membrane and a support for supporting and fixing at least one end of the separation membrane are connected via a module connector. Both ends of the support are cylindrical,
At both ends, connector fixing means for fixing a module connector are formed, and module fixing means for fixing a separation membrane module are formed on the module connector, and the connector fixing means and the module fixing means are formed. Is solved by a separation membrane module connected body characterized in that engagement is performed by applying a force other than the axial direction.

[0010] Further, the coupler fixing means comprises screwing means threaded at an end of the support, and the module fixing means comprises screwing means formed on an inner wall surface or an outer wall surface. Preferably, the coupler fixing means and the module fixing means are screwed together. Further, it is preferable that the screwing means is provided with a stopper for locking the separation membrane module and the module connector at a specific position. Further, it is preferable that a protrusion interposed between the plurality of separation membrane modules connected thereto is formed in the module coupler. Further, it is preferable that the projection and the outer edge of the end face of the separation membrane module are press-bonded via an elastic body. The separation membrane is preferably a hollow fiber membrane. Further, it is preferable that the separation membrane is a three-layer composite hollow fiber membrane in which a gas selective permeable nonporous thin film is sandwiched between porous layers. Further, the separation membrane,
It is preferably a flat membrane.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a side view showing one embodiment of a connected separation membrane module of the present invention using a hollow fiber membrane as a separation membrane. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a connection portion between the separation membrane module and the module connector of the present invention. The connected separation membrane module 1 has a plurality of holes 1
A cylindrical separation membrane module 10 in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are accommodated in a cylindrical support body 12 provided with a cylindrical module 1 and a cylindrical module connector 2 for connecting the separation membrane module 10
0.

The separation membrane module 10 includes a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 1 fixed at a resin fixing portion 13 while both ends are kept open.
4, a cylindrical support 12 containing the same, and a support 1
2 and elastic rings 15 attached to both ends. On the outer peripheral wall near both ends of the support 12, screwing means 16 is screwed as connector fixing means for fixing the module connector 20.

On the other hand, a projection 22 is formed in the module coupler 20 so as to be interposed between the two separation membrane modules 10 connected thereto and to form a water passage 25. An elastic ring 23 is provided at a portion of the end surface of the separation membrane module 10 which is in contact with the outer edge. Also,
At both openings of the water passage 25 of the module connector 20, screwing means 21 is threaded as module fixing means for fixing the separation membrane module 10 along the inner wall surface.

The screwing means 16 of the separation membrane module 10
The screwing means 21 of the module coupler 20 is a screw, and is a ridge formed on the outer wall of the support 12 of the separation membrane module 10 and extending spirally upward, and the inner wall of the module coupler 20. And a ridge extending downward spirally. The screwing means 16 and the screwing means 21 are engaged by rotating the separation membrane module 10 or the module coupler 20 relatively in the circumferential direction, and the separation membrane module 10 and the module coupler 20 are engaged.
Is securely fixed. Screwing means 16 of separation membrane module 10 and screwing means 21 of module connector 20
The position for forming is not limited to the example of FIG. 2. For example, as shown in FIG. The screwing means 21 may be screwed along the inner wall surface near the protrusion 22 of the container 20. Further, one set of separation membrane module 1
The number of the screwing means 16 and the screwing means 21 in the module coupler 20 and the module connector 20 is not limited to one, respectively, and the screwing means 16 and the screwing means 21 are provided at two or more places, respectively. Module 10 and module coupler 20
May be connected.

As shown in FIG. 4, the screwing means 16 and the screwing means 21 are provided at the ends of the grooves formed between the ridges on the separation membrane module 10 side.
A stopper A is formed to abut against the stopper A 'at the leading end of the 0-side ridge, and a stopper B at the leading end of the ridge at the separation membrane module 10 is formed at the end of the groove formed between the respective ridges at the module connector 20 side. The stopper B 'which abuts may be formed. By forming such a stopper A and a stopper A 'and a stopper B and a stopper B', a separation membrane module can be formed at a specific position, that is, a position where the stopper A and the stopper A 'and the stopper B and the stopper B' abut. By locking the module connector 20 with the module connector 10, it is possible to prevent excessive screw turning. In addition, since the separation membrane module 10 and the module connector 20 are always locked at the same position, the length of the water passage 25 formed in the module connector 20 is always kept constant, and the space of the water passage 25 is ensured. Can be secured.

The coupler fixing means and the module fixing means other than the screwing means are engaged by applying a force other than the axial direction, and are engaged with the separation membrane module 10 and the module coupler 2.
Any device can be used as long as it can securely fix 0, for example, a bayonet method. As shown in FIG. 5, protrusion-shaped locking claws 17 are provided on outer wall surfaces of both ends of the separation membrane module 10, and L-shaped groove-shaped locking hooks 24 are formed on both ends of the module connector 20. And means for engaging them are exemplified. Among these fixing means, a screw or a bayonet method is preferably used in that the sealing portion at the connection portion between the separation membrane module 10 and the module coupler 20 is excellent.

The hollow fiber membrane 14 is selected according to the use of the separation membrane module 10 and the required performance.
Although not particularly limited, for example, those composed of various materials such as cellulose, polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol, and polysulfone can be used. Particularly, those having high elongation such as polyethylene and polypropylene are preferable. The pore diameter, porosity, film thickness, outer diameter and the like are not particularly limited as long as they can be used as a filtration membrane. For example, the pore diameter is 0.1 nm to 1000 nm (1 μm), and the porosity is 20 to 90%, film thickness 5 to 300 μm, outer diameter 20 to 200
A range of 0 μm can be mentioned.

The hollow fiber membrane 14 may be a multi-layer composite hollow fiber membrane in which a non-porous membrane or a gas-selective permeable non-porous membrane is sandwiched between porous layers. As the gas selective permeable non-porous membrane, for example, any membrane is used as long as it is a permeable membrane through which a gas can be permeated by a dissolution / diffusion mechanism and substantially does not contain pores through which a gas can be permeable. be able to. As the film material, silicon-based, polyolefin-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, polyimide-based,
Polysulfone, cellulose, polyurethane, methylpentene resin (TPX) and the like are preferred.

The resin fixing unit 13 converges the hollow fiber membranes 14 while keeping the ends of the many hollow fiber membranes 14 open.
Further, the hollow fiber membrane 14 is fixed to the support 12.
As the resin fixing portion 13, for example, a resin obtained by curing a liquid resin such as an epoxy resin, an unsaturated epoxy resin, or a polyurethane resin, or a resin obtained by melting and cooling and solidifying a polyolefin or the like can be used.

The material of the support 12 may be any material having mechanical strength and durability. For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, TPX, hard polyvinyl chloride resin, polycarbonate, polysulfone, acrylic resin, ABS resin, A resin material such as a modified PPO resin, and a metal material such as stainless steel are exemplified. Among them,
When an organic solvent is used for the treatment liquid, polypropylene or a modified PPO resin having excellent solvent resistance is suitably used. In the illustrated example, the support 12 has a cylindrical shape in which a plurality of holes 11 are provided on a side surface, but is not particularly limited to this shape, and at least both ends are cylindrical.
In addition, any other shape may be used as long as the stored hollow fiber membrane 14 can be exposed to the outside. For example, a rectangular cylindrical shape in which only both ends are machined into a cylindrical shape, a cylindrical ring provided at both ends, and a support bar connecting and supporting the rings, and a cylindrical ring at both ends. Just set it up,
The hollow fiber membrane 16 may be substantially entirely exposed.

The elastic ring 15 is attached to the separation membrane module 10
And the sealability of the connection portion between the module coupler 20 and the module coupler 20. The elastic ring 15 may be omitted if only the elastic ring 23 can sufficiently seal.
In order to further improve the sealing performance, the elastic rings 15 may be provided at a plurality of locations. Examples of the material of the elastic ring 15 include elastic bodies such as nitrile rubber (NBR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), silicon rubber, fluorine rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, and butyl rubber.

The material of the module connector 20 may be any material having mechanical strength and durability, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, TPX, hard polyvinyl chloride resin, polycarbonate, polysulfone, and the like.
Resin materials such as acrylic resin, ABS resin, and modified PPO resin, and metal materials such as stainless steel. Above all, when an organic solvent is used for the treatment liquid, polypropylene or a modified PPO resin having excellent solvent resistance is preferably used. Further, it is preferable that the material is the same as that of the support 12. In the illustrated example, the module coupler 20 has a cylindrical shape. However, the shape is not particularly limited to this shape.
Any other shape may be used as long as it can be fitted to the end of.

The projection 22 is formed circumferentially along the inner wall surface of the module connector 20 so as to be interposed between the two separation membrane modules 10 connected to the module connector 20. The projection 22 has a cross-sectional shape of T
The elastic rings 23 are respectively attached to two grooves formed between the protrusions 22 and the inner wall surface of the module connector 20. In the illustrated example, the protruding portion 22 has a T-shaped cross section. However, the shape is not particularly limited to this, and the water passage 25 is formed between the two separation membrane modules 10 connected to the module coupler 20. Other shapes may be used as long as they can be made.

The elastic ring 23 is attached to the separation membrane module 10
And the sealing performance of the connection portion of the module coupler 20. Examples of the material of the elastic ring 23 include elastic materials such as nitrile rubber (NBR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), silicon rubber, fluorine rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, and butyl rubber. Further, as the elastic ring, another elastic body such as an O-ring, a V-ring, an X-ring, a gasket, and a flat packing may be used. Further, a slip stopper 26 may be provided on a part or the entire outer wall surface of the module coupler 20 as shown in FIG. The non-slip 26 may be, for example, a knurled finish, a plain finish finish, or the like. Such a non-slip may be provided on a part or the entire outer wall surface of the support of the separation membrane module 10.

Next, a method of assembling and using the deaeration processing apparatus accommodating the connected separated membrane module 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the deaeration processing apparatus that houses the coupled separation membrane module 1. This deaeration processing device is assembled as follows. First, a number of separation membrane modules 10 according to the length of the housing 50 are provided.
And the module coupler 20 are prepared.
These separation membrane modules 10 are connected via the
This is referred to as a linked separation membrane module assembly 1. At this time, one or both of the separation membrane module 10 and the module coupler 20 are relatively circumferentially rotated to engage the screwing means 16 and the screwing means 21 to connect the separation membrane module 10 and the module. The container 20 is securely fixed. Next, the cap 51 on one side of the housing 50 is removed,
The integrated separation membrane module assembly 1 is
0, the two ends of the combined separation membrane module 1 are attached to the module seats 57, 57, and the cap 51 is closed.

When this degassing treatment device is used, for example, as a liquid degassing treatment device, it is used as follows. The stock solution is supplied from the stock solution supply port 53 into the separation membrane module connected body 1 from below, and at the same time, the air in the housing 50 is degassed from the gas supply / discharge ports 55 and 56 using a vacuum pump or the like. By degassing the inside of the housing 50, the gas contained in the stock solution is degassed from the stock solution through a hollow fiber membrane having a multilayer structure having a gas-selective non-porous membrane or the like in the intermediate layer. The processing solution thus degassed is sent out of the filtering device through the processing solution outlet 54. The supply of the undiluted solution may be from top to bottom, and the housing 50 may be used horizontally. Alternatively, the processing mode may be reversed by using the gas supply / discharge ports 55 and 56 as the stock solution supply port and the processing solution discharge port, and using the stock solution supply port 53 and the processing solution discharge port 54 as the gas supply / discharge ports. Further, the deaeration treatment apparatus can be used as a carbonated water producing apparatus by supplying water to the coupled separation membrane module 1 and sending carbon dioxide gas into the housing 50, for example. By putting the module connected body 1 in a reduced pressure state by a suction pump and supplying polluted water or the like into the housing 50, the module connected body 1 can also be used as a filtration device.

In the separation membrane module 10, the module connector 20, and the separation module assembly 1, screwing means for fixing the module connector 20 to both ends of the support 12 of the separation membrane module 10. 16 are formed, screwing means 21 for fixing the separation membrane module 10 to the module connector 20 are formed, and these screwing means 16 and the screwing means 21 are engaged by applying a force other than the axial direction. Therefore, the separation membrane module 10 and the module coupler 2
The connecting portion of 0 is securely fixed. Therefore, the separation membrane module 10 is disconnected, and the separation membrane module 10
Does not fall off, and the mounting of the connected separation membrane module assembly 1 to the housing becomes easy. Further, since the connecting portion is securely sealed, there is no possibility that the processing liquid leaks from the connecting portion.

Also, since the projecting portion 22 interposed between the two separation membrane modules 10 connected thereto is formed in the module coupler 20, the space between the two connected separation membrane modules 10 is formed. A water passage 25 is formed, and the hollow fiber membrane 14 is formed.
Since the end surfaces of the hollow fibers do not adhere to each other, the flow of the liquid or gas in the hollow fiber membrane 14 is not hindered. Further, since the protruding portion 22 and the outer edge portion of the end face of the separation membrane module 10 are pressure-bonded via the elastic ring 23, the sealing property of the connection portion is improved.

It should be noted that the separation membrane module 10, the module connector 20, and the connected separation membrane module 1 of the present invention.
In the above, the protrusion 22 and the elastic rings 15 and 2
There is no need to provide 3. In addition, the form of the separation membrane module is not limited to the illustrated example, and a water collection pipe or a water pipe may be separately provided at the center of the columnar separation membrane module. Further, the hollow fiber membrane accommodated therein may be a sheet-like hollow fiber membrane woven into a roll and the like.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of a connecting portion of a connected unit of a separation membrane module of the present invention using a flat membrane as a separation membrane, and FIG. It is an upper sectional view showing an example of one form of a membrane module. The connected separation membrane module assembly includes a columnar separation membrane module 60 containing a flat membrane, and a cylindrical module connector 70 for connecting the separation membrane modules 60.

The separation membrane module 60 has a water passage 6 therein.
1 is formed, an inner cylinder 62 provided with a plurality of holes 62a on the side surface, and a fold (provided on the outer wall surface of the inner cylinder 62, both ends of which are fixed by a sealing material 63, and both surfaces of which are protected by a net). A pleated (flat) membrane 64, an outer cylinder 65 supporting the flat membrane 64 from the outside and having a plurality of holes 65a on the side surfaces, and sealing both end surfaces of a space between the inner cylinder 62 and the outer cylinder 65. And an elastic ring 67 attached to the inner wall surface of the end cap 66. On the outer wall surface of the end cap 66, a screwing means 68 is screwed as a coupler fixing means for fixing the module coupler 70.

On the other hand, the module coupler 70 has a water passage 71 communicating with the water passage 61 of the separation membrane module 60,
A partition plate 72 joined to the end face of the connected separation membrane module 60 and an outer cylindrical portion 75 connected to the partition plate 72 and surrounding the water passage 71 concentrically are formed.
2, a ring-shaped elastic member 73 is provided at a portion in contact with the end face of the separation membrane module 60. In addition, the outer cylinder 7
5, screwing means 74 is threaded as module fixing means for fixing the separation membrane module 60 along the inner wall surface. The elastic ring 67 and the elastic member 73 may be omitted if either one can sufficiently seal.

The screwing means 68 of the separation membrane module 60
The screwing means 74 of the module connector 70 is a screw, and is engaged by rotating the separation membrane module 60 or the module connector 70 relatively in the circumferential direction, and the module connection with the separation membrane module 60 is performed. Vessel 70
Is securely fixed. Also, in one set of the separation membrane module 60 and the module coupler 70, the number of the screwing means 68 and the screwing means 74 is not limited to one each. The separation membrane module 60 and the module connector 70 may be connected at two or more locations.

The coupler fixing means other than the screwing means and the module fixing means are engaged when a force other than the axial direction is applied, and the separation membrane module 60 and the module coupler 7 are engaged.
Any device can be used as long as it can securely fix 0, for example, a bayonet method.

The flat membrane 64 is selected according to the use of the separation membrane module 60 and the required performance, and is not particularly limited. For example, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, nylon, and polytetrafluoride Ethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVD)
F), polycarbonate, polyester, polysulfone, TPX, cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol,
What consists of various materials, such as a polyimide system and stainless steel, can be used. Particularly, those having high elongation such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PTFE, and PVDF are preferable. The pore size, porosity, film thickness, etc. are not particularly limited as long as they can be used as a filtration membrane. For example, the pore size is 0.1 nm to 1000 nm (1 μm).
m), a porosity of 20 to 90%, and a film thickness of 5 to 300 μm.

The sealing member 63 fixes the flat membrane 14 to the end cap 66 and prevents leakage of liquid and the like between the inner cylinder 62 and the outer cylinder 65. As the sealing material 63, for example, a material obtained by curing a liquid resin such as an epoxy resin, an unsaturated epoxy resin, or a polyurethane resin, or a material obtained by melting and cooling and solidifying a polyolefin or the like can be used. Also,
Without using a sealing material, the inner cylinder 62, the outer cylinder 65, the flat membrane 64,
The end cap 66 can be fixed by ultrasonic fusion or rotational fusion.

The material of the inner cylinder 62, the outer cylinder 65 and the end cap 66 may be any material having mechanical strength and durability. For example, resin materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, PTFE, PVDF, etc. And metal materials such as stainless steel. Among them, when using an organic solvent for the processing solution,
Polypropylene, PTFE, PVDF with excellent solvent resistance
Etc. are preferably used. In the illustrated example, the inner cylinder 62 and the outer cylinder 65 are cylindrical in which a plurality of holes are provided on a side surface. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this shape, and at least both ends are cylindrical, and Any shape may be used as long as the stored flat film 64 can be exposed to the outside.

The material of the module connector 70 may be any material having mechanical strength and durability, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, TPX, hard polyvinyl chloride resin, polycarbonate, polysulfone, and the like.
Resin materials such as acrylic resin, ABS resin, and modified PPO resin, and metal materials such as stainless steel. Above all, when an organic solvent is used for the treatment liquid, polypropylene or a modified PPO resin having excellent solvent resistance is preferably used. In the illustrated example, the module connector 70 has a cylindrical shape, but is not particularly limited to this shape.
Other shapes may be used as long as they can be fitted to the end of the zero.

The elastic member 73 improves the sealing property of the connection between the separation membrane module 60 and the module connector 70. Examples of the material of the elastic material 73 include nitrile rubber (NBR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SB).
R), silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, chloroprene rubber,
Elastic materials such as ethylene propylene rubber and butyl rubber are exemplified. Further, as the elastic member 73, another elastic member such as an O-ring, a V-ring, an X-ring, a gasket, and a flat packing may be used.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the separation membrane module 60 and the module connector 70 are connected to each other by a plurality of separation membrane modules 60 via the module connector 70 to form a connected separation membrane module. The combined separation membrane module is housed in the housing 50 and can be used as a separation membrane module of a degassing treatment device or the like.

In the separation membrane module 60, the module connector 70, and the connected separation membrane module assembly, screw means 68 for fixing the module connector 70 to both ends of the separation membrane module 60 are formed. A screwing means 74 for fixing the separation membrane module 60 to the module connector 70 is formed, and the screwing means 68 and the screwing means 74 are engaged by applying a force other than the axial direction. The connecting portion between the module connector 60 and the module connector 70 is securely fixed. Therefore, the separation membrane module 6
The connection of the separation membrane module 60 does not fall off the connection of the separation membrane module 60, and the mounting of the connected separation membrane module assembly to the housing becomes easy. Further, since the connecting portion is securely sealed, there is no possibility that the processing liquid leaks from the connecting portion. Furthermore, since the partition plate 72 of the module connector 70 and the end surface of the separation membrane module 60 are press-bonded via the elastic material 73, the sealing performance of the connection portion is improved.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing another embodiment of the connecting portion of the connected separation membrane module of the present invention using a flat membrane as the separation membrane. The same components as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The combined separation membrane module is a columnar separation membrane module 60 containing a flat membrane.
And a cylindrical module connector 80 for connecting the separation membrane module 60.

The separation membrane module 60 has a water passage 6 therein.
1 and an inner cylinder 62 provided with a plurality of holes in the side surface.
, Provided on the outer wall surface of the inner cylinder 62,
3, a flat membrane 64 in the form of a fold (pleat) protected on both sides by a net, and the flat membrane 64 is supported from the outside,
An outer cylinder 65 having a plurality of holes formed in a side surface thereof; and an end cap 6 for sealing both end surfaces of a space between the inner cylinder 62 and the outer cylinder 65.
6 and an elastic ring 67 attached to the inner wall surface of the end cap 66. A screwing means 68 is threaded on the inner wall surface of the end cap 66 as a coupler fixing means for fixing the module coupler 80.

On the other hand, the module coupler 80 includes a water passage 71 communicating with the water supply passage 61 of the separation membrane module 60, a disk-shaped partition plate 72 joined to the end face of the connected separation membrane module 60, and a separation membrane module. A ring-shaped elastic member 73 is provided at a portion in contact with the end surface of the ring 60. Unlike the module coupler 70 of the second embodiment, there is no outer cylindrical portion 75 that concentrically surrounds the water passage 71, and the screwing means 74 is formed on the outer wall surface of the water passage 71 of the module coupler 80. The screwing means 68 of the separation membrane module 60 and the screwing means 74 of the module connector 80 are screws, and are engaged by relatively rotating the separation membrane module 60 or the module connector 80 in the circumferential direction. Then, the separation membrane module 60 and the module connector 70 are securely fixed.

In such a separation membrane module 60, a module connector 80, and a connected separation membrane module assembly, screwing means 68 for fixing the module connector 80 is formed at both ends of the separation membrane module 60. A screwing means 74 for fixing the separation membrane module 60 to the module connector 80 is formed, and the screwing means 68 and the screwing means 74 are engaged by applying a force other than the axial direction. The connection portion between the module connector 60 and the module connector 80 is securely fixed. Therefore, the separation membrane module 6
The connection of the separation membrane module 60 does not fall off the connection of the separation membrane module 60, and the mounting of the connected separation membrane module assembly to the housing becomes easy. Further, since the connecting portion is securely sealed, there is no possibility that the processing liquid leaks from the connecting portion. Furthermore, since the partition plate 72 of the module connector 80 and the end face of the separation membrane module 60 are press-bonded via the elastic material 73, the sealing performance of the connection portion is improved. The elastic ring 67 and the elastic member 73 may be omitted if either one can sufficiently seal.

As exemplified in the first to third embodiments, the coupler fixing means and the module fixing means in the present invention are formed on the outer wall surface of the support of the separation membrane module and the inner wall surface of the water passage of the module coupler, respectively. Alternatively, it may be formed on the inner wall surface of the outer cylindrical portion that concentrically surrounds the outer wall surface of the support of the separation membrane module and the water passage of the module coupler. Also, the inner wall surface of the support inside the separation membrane module,
It may be formed on the outer wall surface of the water passage of the module coupler. In any case, the connecting portion between the separation membrane module and the module connector can be securely fixed,
In addition, the connecting portion can be reliably sealed.

[0047]

As described above, in the separation membrane module of the present invention, the connector fixing means for fixing the module connector is formed at the end, so that the separation membrane module and the module connector are connected. The connecting portion can be securely fixed, and the sealing property of the connecting portion can be improved. Further, when the coupler fixing means is a screwing means which is threaded at an end of the support of the separation membrane module, the connection of the separation membrane module can be further firmly performed, and the sealing property of the connection portion can be improved. Can be further improved.

Further, in the module coupler of the present invention, since the module fixing means for fixing the separation membrane module is formed, the connecting portion between the separation membrane module and the module coupler can be securely fixed. In addition, the sealing property of the connecting portion can be improved. Further, when the module fixing means is a screwing means formed on the inner wall surface or the outer wall surface, the connection of the separation membrane module can be further firmly connected, and the sealing property of the connection portion can be further improved. it can.

[0049] In the coupled unit of the separation membrane module of the present invention, the coupling fixing means formed on the separation membrane module and the module fixing means formed on the module coupling are subjected to a force other than the axial direction. The engagement of the separation membrane module enables the connection of the separation membrane module to be firm, and the separation membrane module is disconnected and the separation membrane module does not fall off. It can be easily mounted on the device. Also,
The sealing property of the connecting portion can be improved.

When the coupler fixing means and the module fixing means are screwed to each other, the connection of the separation membrane module can be made more secure, and the sealing performance of the connecting portion can be further improved. it can. Further, in the case where a projection interposed between the plurality of separation membrane modules connected thereto is formed in the module coupler, a water passage is generated between the connected separation membrane modules, and the end faces of the separation membrane are in close contact with each other. Therefore, the flow of liquid or gas in the separation membrane is not hindered. Further, in the case where the projection and the outer edge of the end face of the separation membrane module are pressure-bonded via an elastic body, the sealing performance of the connection portion can be further improved.

Such a separation membrane module, module connector, and separation membrane module assembly are used in the fields of microfiltration such as production of sterile water, high-purity water, drinking water, etc., air purification, and sewage treatment plants. Next processing, tertiary processing,
It can be suitably used in the field of highly polluting water treatment such as solid-liquid separation in a septic tank, as well as degassing treatment for removing gas from liquid and treatment for adding gas to liquid.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing one embodiment of a connected separation membrane module according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a connection portion between a separation membrane module and a module connector of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a connection portion between a separation membrane module and a module connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a connecting portion between the separation membrane module and the module connector of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a connection portion between the separation membrane module and the module connector of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a deaeration treatment device containing a connected separation membrane module according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing another embodiment of the connection portion between the separation membrane module and the module connector of the present invention.

8 is a top sectional view of the separation membrane module of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing another embodiment of the connection portion between the separation membrane module and the module connector according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional deaeration processing apparatus containing a connected separation membrane module assembly.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing an example of a connection portion between a conventional separation membrane module and a module connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Separation-membrane-module coupling body 10 Separation-membrane module 12 Support 14 Hollow fiber membrane 16 Screwing means (Connector fixing means) 20 Module connector 21 Screwing means (Module fixing means) 22 Projection part 23 Elastic ring (Elastic body) Reference Signs List 25 water passage 26 non-slip 60 separation membrane module 62 inner cylinder (support) 64 flat membrane 65 outer cylinder (support) 66 end cap (support) 68 screwing means (connector fixing means) 70 module connector 73 elasticity Material (elastic body) 71 Water passage 74 Screwing means (Module fixing means) 80 Module coupler A Stopper A 'Stopper B Stopper B' Stopper

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4D006 GA01 GA07 GA44 HA01 HA41 HA71 JA23A JA24A JA27A MC11 MC22 MC23 MC33 MC39 MC46 MC62

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A separation membrane, comprising a support for supporting and fixing at least one end of the separation membrane, wherein both ends of the support are cylindrical, and a module coupler is provided at both ends. A separation membrane module, wherein a coupler fixing means for fixing the module is formed. 2. The connector fixing means according to claim 1, wherein said coupling fixing means comprises screwing means threaded at an end of said support.
The separation membrane module according to the above. 3. A coupler connected to a plurality of separation membrane modules and having a water passage formed therein, wherein module fixing means for fixing the separation membrane module is formed. . 4. The module coupler according to claim 3, wherein said module fixing means comprises screw means formed on an inner wall surface or an outer wall surface. 5. The module connector according to claim 3, wherein a slip stopper is provided on an outer wall surface. 6. A combined separation membrane module comprising a plurality of separation membrane modules comprising a separation membrane and a support for supporting and fixing at least one end of the separation membrane via a module connector. In addition, both ends of the support are cylindrical, and connector fixing means for fixing a module connector are formed on both ends, and a module fixing for fixing a separation membrane module is provided on the module connector. Means, wherein the coupler fixing means and the module fixing means are engaged by applying a force other than in the axial direction. 7. The connector fixing means comprises screwing means threaded at an end of a support, and the module fixing means comprises screwing means formed on an inner wall surface or an outer wall surface. 7. The coupled separation membrane module according to claim 6, wherein the connector fixing means and the module fixing means are screwed together. 8. The coupled separation membrane module according to claim 7, wherein the screwing means is provided with a stopper for locking the separation membrane module and the module coupler at a specific position. 9. The separation according to claim 6, wherein a protrusion interposed between the plurality of separation membrane modules connected thereto is formed in the module coupler. Membrane module assembly. 10. The separation membrane module assembly according to claim 9, wherein the projection and the outer edge of the end face of the separation membrane module are press-bonded via an elastic body. 11. The separation membrane module assembly according to claim 6, wherein the separation membrane is a hollow fiber membrane. 12. The separation according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the separation membrane is a three-layer composite hollow fiber membrane in which a gas-selective non-porous thin film is sandwiched between porous layers. Membrane module assembly. 13. The separation membrane module assembly according to claim 6, wherein the separation membrane is a flat membrane.