Membrane bioreactor having single header membrane module

Abstract

A filtration apparatus for filtering liquid has a filtration cell having generally vertical front and rear panels spaced apart to define a cell length, and generally vertical side panels extending between the front and rear panels and spaced apart to define a cell width. A plurality of header segments are provided in the cell, each header segment having a permeate channel. A plurality of hollow fiber membranes are associated with each header segment and extend generally upright between the cell panels, each membrane having a lumen in flow communication with the permeate channel of the associated header segment and a lower end secured to the associated header segment and a loose upper end.

1 . A filtration apparatus for filtering liquid, the apparatus comprising 
 a) a filtration cell having generally vertical front and rear panels spaced apart to define a cell length, and generally vertical side panels extending between the front and rear panels and spaced apart to define a cell width;    b) a plurality of header segments in the cell, each header segment having a permeate channel; and    c) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes associated with each header segment and extending generally upwards from the associated header segment, each membrane having a lumen in flow communication with the permeate channel of the associated header segment and a lower end secured to the associated header segment and a loose upper end.    
     
     
         2 . A filtration apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a) an enclosure; and,    b) a divider structure in the enclosure and dividing the enclosure into a plurality of filtration cells, each cell having generally vertical front and rear panels spaced apart to define a cell length, and generally vertical side panels extending between the front and rear panels and spaced apart to define a cell width;    c) a plurality of header segments in each cell, each header segment having a permeate channel; and    d) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes associated with each header segment and extending generally upwards from the associated header segment, each membrane having a lumen in flow communication with the permeate channel of the associated header segment and a lower end secured to the associated header and a loose upper end.    
     
     
         3 . A filtration apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a) a plurality of cartridges, each cartridge defining a filtration cell and having generally vertical front and rear panels spaced apart to define a cell length, and generally vertical side panels extending between the front and rear panels and spaced apart to define a cell width;    b) a plurality of header segments in each cell, each header segment having a permeate channel and a first and second releasable resealable connection fitting at either end of the permeate channel;    c) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes associated with each header segment and extending generally upwards from the associated header segment, each membrane having a lumen in flow communication with the permeate channel of the associated header and a lower end secured to the associated header segment and a loose upper end; and    d) a frame for holding the cartridges in at least one row of aligned cartridges wherein the first and second connection fittings of adjacent aligned cartridges cooperate to connect the corresponding permeate channels of the header segments of the aligned cartridges in operative fluid communication.    
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the header segments are elongate and aligned generally parallel to the cell length.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the header segments are arranged in spaced apart parallel relationship across the cell width, the spacing between the header segments providing a passage for a liquid to be filtered to flow upwards into the cell.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cell length is about 10 to 40 percent longer than the cell width.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cell length is about 20 to 30 cm.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the cell width is about 15 to 25 cm.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  comprising from 2 to 4 header segments.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  comprising 3 header segments.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the panels comprise generally solid plastic plates.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the panels comprise apertures.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the panels comprise generally horizontal rungs.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein about 700 to 1200 membranes are associated with each header segment.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the membranes are potted to the header segment in about 8 to 12 rows, each row having about 70 to 130 membranes.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 3  further comprising releasable attachments between at least one of the header segments of each cartridge and the frame, the releasable attachments allowing the frame to releasably hold the cartridges by the at least one header segment.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein the releasable attachments comprise keys extending from the headers and slots in the frame to receive the keys in sliding fit.  
     
     
         18 . A method for filtering liquid comprising: 
 a) providing a filtration apparatus having 
 i) a filtration cell having generally vertical front and rear panels spaced apart to define a cell length, and generally vertical side panels extending between the front and rear panels and spaced apart to define a cell width;  
 ii) a plurality of header segments in the cell, each header segment having a permeate channel; and  
 iii) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes associated with each header segment and extending generally upwards from the associated header segment, each membrane having a lumen in flow communication with the permeate channel of the associated header segment and a lower end secured to the associated header segment and a loose upper end;  
   b) immersing the apparatus in a liquid at ambient pressure;    c) applying suction to the lumens to withdraw permeate; and    d) aerating the liquid such that fluid currents rise upwards along the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes, urging the membranes to a generally vertical position when aerated.    
     
     
         19 . A method for filtering liquid according to  claim 18  further comprising: 
 a) providing a filtration apparatus having 
 i) an enclosure;  
 ii) a divider structure in the enclosure and dividing the enclosure into a plurality of filtration cells, each cell having generally vertical front and rear panels spaced apart to define a cell length, and generally vertical side panels extending between the front and rear panels and spaced apart to define a cell width;  
 iii) a plurality of header segments in each cell, each header segment having a permeate channel; and  
 iv) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes associated with each header segment and extending generally upwards from the associated header segment, each membrane having a lumen in flow communication with the permeate channel of the associated header segment and a lower end secured to the associated header and a loose upper end;  
   b) immersing the apparatus in a liquid at ambient pressure;    c) applying suction to the lumens to withdraw permeate; and    d) aerating the liquid such that fluid currents rise upwards along the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes, urging the membranes to a generally vertical position when aerated.    
     
     
         20 . A method for filtering liquid according to  claim 18  further comprising: 
 a) providing a filtration apparatus having 
 i) a plurality of cartridges, each cartridge defining a filtration cell and having generally vertical front and rear panels spaced apart to define a cell length, and generally vertical side panels extending between the front and rear panels and spaced apart to define a cell width;  
 ii) a plurality of header segments in each cell, each header segment having a permeate channel and a first and second releasable resealable connection fitting at either end of the permeate channel;  
 iii) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes associated with each header segment and extending generally upwards from the associated header segment, each membrane having a lumen in flow communication with the permeate channel of the associated header and a lower end secured to the associated header segment and a loose upper end; and  
 iv) a frame for holding the cartridges in at least one row of aligned cartridges wherein the first and second connection fittings of adjacent aligned cartridges cooperate to connect the corresponding permeate channels of the header segments of the aligned cartridges in operative fluid communication;  
   b) immersing the apparatus in a liquid at ambient pressure;    c) applying suction to the lumens to withdraw permeate; and    d) aerating the liquid such that fluid currents rise upwards along the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes, urging the membranes to a generally vertical position when aerated.    
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein the aeration is intermittent, having a supply of air that is cycled on and off in cycles of between about 15 and 120 seconds in duration.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21  wherein the cycle time during which the air supply for aeration is off is not more than 30 seconds.  
     
     
         23 . A filtration apparatus for filtering liquid, the apparatus comprising: 
 a) a filtration cell having a perimeter defined by generally vertical panels;    b) a plurality of header segments in the cell, the header segments oriented in spaced relationship providing a passage between the header segments for a liquid to be filtered to flow upwards into the cell, each header segment having a permeate channel; and    c) a plurality of hollow fiber membranes associated with each header segment and extending generally upwards from the associated header segment, each membrane having a lumen in flow communication with the permeate channel of the associated header segment and a lower end secured to the associated header segment and a loose upper end.