摘要 |
A filtering element has ultrafiltration or microfiltration hollow fibre membranes extending horizontally between a pair of opposed horizontally spaced, vertically extending headers. Side plates extending between the pair of vertically extending headers define a vertical flow channel through the element. Modules are created by placing the elements in place without obstructing the vertical flow channels. Each element may be released from th e frame, however, and removed by sliding it in a direction substantially norma l to its headers without disassembling the remainder of the module. The elemen ts have associated releasable water tight fittings between the elements and a permeate collector, the releasable water tight fittings being releasable by removing an element from the frame. An aerator below the module has a plurality of air holes located to provide a line of air holes below each element or below a side plate between each pair of elements. In a preferred process, permeate flux is less than 50 L/m2/h and preferably less than 35 L/m2/h, aeration to scrub the membranes is provided during periods of time when permeation is periodically stopped and accumulated solids are removed b y periodically emptying and refilling a tank containing the elements. A bubble point test is applied to each row of the module in turn, the presence of bubbles in a particular flow channel indicating which, if any, elements of a row are suitable.
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