PERMEATE CHANNEL ALTERATIONS FOR COUNTER CURRENT FILTRATION FOR USE IN CROSS-FLOW FILTRATION MODULES USEFUL IN OSMOTIC SYSTEMS

摘要

The present invention relates to modification to permeate channels and permeate materials in a cross-flow filtration system to improve performance in counter current filtration having both retentate channels and permeate channels wherein a solution is pumped through one of the channels and drawn through a membrane to one of the other channels to assist in positive pressure driven filtration by using the osmotic pressure, concentration, or preferential solubility difference between the retentate and permeate flow streams thereby increasing or altering the flux through the membrane separating the flow streams.

主权项

1. A cross-flow filtration unit providing for counter current filtration, the cross flow filtration unit comprising:
a first and second filter endplate, wherein the length of each endplate along the longitudinal axis is greater than the width of such endplate; an array of cross-flow members or sheets comprising a first retentate sheet, a permeate grouping of sheets comprising a first filter sheet, at least one permeate flow directional material or media sheet, a second filter sheet and a second retentate sheet; an inlet retentate flow channel and an outlet retentate flow channel positioned at opposite ends of each filter endplate; two permeate flow channels positioned on opposite sides of each filter endplate along the longitudinal axis of the filter endplate and perpendicular to the retentate flow channels, wherein the depth of the permeate channels is adjustable to reduce flow or each permeate channel includes a blocking means to block flow through the length of the permeate channels; at least one retentate inlet port and at least one retentate outlet port in fluid communication with the retentate channels; and at least one inlet permeate port and at least one permeate outlet port in fluid communication with each permeate flow channel and in fluid communication with the permeate group.