Selective clogging of failed fibers
US5575963A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D63/0221
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of selective clogging of failed hollow fibers of a membrane module, including a pack or bundle of fibers in a shell-side and bore-side arrangement which includes failed fibers and non-failed fibers, comprises the steps of: clogging bores of all of the fiber at one end of the pack or bundle of the fibers; substantially evacuating the membrane module both at the shell-side and at the bore-side; filling the bore-side and the shell-side with a non-permeant gas; subsequently-holding the membrane module vertically, disconnecting the bore-side of the membrane module from a supply of the non-permeant gas and dipping another end of the membrane module opposite to the clogged end into a reservoir containing a liquid sealant; applying a reduced pressure to the shell-side for a period of time sufficient to permit suction of sealant into the bores of the failed fibers through a failure of which vacuum is applied to the bore-side; allowing the sealant to solidify at least partially to clog the bores of both the failed fibers and the non-failed fibers; and cutting off a length of the bundle of the fibers such that the bores of the non-failed fibers are exposed while the bores of the fail…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.