Systems and techniques for cleaning pressure membrane systems using a water-in-air cleaning stream
US12097467B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 2022 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC02F2303/16
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Membrane filtration systems can be used to purify liquid streams for downstream use. In practice, foulant can build-up on the surface of a membrane within a filtration system over time. The effectiveness of the filtration system will deteriorate if the fouling is not properly controlled. In some examples, a method of controlling membrane fouling in a pressurized membrane system involves supplying a feed stream that is predominately air mixed with water to the membrane. In other words, the feed stream a greater volume of air than water, even though it is the water being processed by the membrane. Supplying the pressurized membrane system with a feed stream that contains a greater volume of air than water can yield significantly better performance than supplying the membrane with a feed stream that contains a greater volume of water than air.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.