Use of acoustic signals for measuring membrane fouling in spiral wound modules
US8210042B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 2007 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 3, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/044
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A spiral wound module assembly comprising: a permeate collection tube, at least one membrane envelope wound about the permeate collection tube, an outer module housing, and at least one acoustic transducer located adjacent to the permeate collection tube. Several embodiments are disclosed including a stand-alone probe adapted for insertion into the permeate collection tube. In several other embodiments, one or more transducers are secured to the inner surface of the permeate collection tube. The invention further includes a method of measuring membrane fouling within a spiral wound module comprising the steps of: a) transmitting an acoustic signal from a location adjacent to the permeate collection tube; b) receiving an echo signal resulting from the transmitted acoustic signal reflecting from an interface within the module; c) providing a reference signal corresponding to a known state of membrane fouling; d) comparing the echo signal to the reference signal; and e) determining a state of membrane fouling based upon the comparison of the echo signal and reference signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.