INRICHTING TEN GEBRUIKE BIJ HET AFSCHEIDEN VAN EEN VLOEISTOF UIT EEN OPLOSSING, DISPERSIE OF COLLOIDALE DISPERSIE DOOR MIDDEL VAN OMGEKEERDE OSMOSE.

摘要

A reverse osmosis membrane module and a self-contained unit for separating the components of a liquid mixture by reverse osmosis utilizing the same. The module includes an elongated tubular casing having substantial hoop strength which receives a plurality of elongated tubular membrane structures. Within the casing are a plurality of thin-walled tubes each surrounding and receiving an associated one of the tubular membranes. According to one embodiment, the outer surface of each thin-walled tube is configured as a hexagon and the tubes are interfitted within the casing with each other so that each is in contact with another tube or the casing about its entire peripheral extent. Thus, the pressure within adjacent tubes tends to balance out thereby obviating any requirement for support tubes for the membranes of substantial strength. The self-contained unit employs such a membrane module and within the casing there is further included a motor driven pump which receives a liquid mixture and elevates the pressure of the same to reverse osmosis operating pressures. Each of the membrane cells defined by the tubular membranes has one open end adjacent a high pressure area which receives the liquid mixture under high pressure and another open end adjacent a second high pressure area to permit recirculation of the liquid mixture. Within the first high pressure area there is provided an impeller which is driven by the pump motor together with baffles which operate to recirculate the liquid mixture through the membrane cells. The structure also includes an accumulator for dampening pressure pulses within the casing caused by operation of the pump.