Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for reducing membrane fouling

US5888401A · kind A · utility

93Cited by
11References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 16, 1996
Grant dateMar 30, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 16, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02A20/131
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention is directed, among other things, to methods for reducing fouling of a separation membrane having a concentrate side subject to a concentrate pressure (Pc) and a permeate side subject to permeate pressure (Pp), comprising raising an initial permeate pressure (Pp.sub.0) to an increased permeate pressure (Pp.sub.1). The present invention further provides a method of reducing fouling of a membrane having a concentrate side subject to a concentrate pressure (Pc) and a permeate side subject to permeate pressure (Pp), comprising periodically raising an initial permeate pressure (Pp.sub.0) to an increased permeate pressure (Pp.sub.1). Additionally, the present invention provides an improved apparatus for filtering a fluid and methods of reducing membrane fouling in a separation membrane using the apparatus, the improved apparatus comprising a feed inlet having a pump, a filtering apparatus, a concentrate line and a permeate line, the improvement comprising: PA1 on the feed inlet, a first gauge for measuring pressure and a controller for controlling pressure of the fluid passing through the feed inlet pump or for controlling the speed of the feed inlet pump; PA1 on the…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.