JP2010064046A - Method of manufacturing hollow fiber membrane module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module easy in opening a hollow fiber membrane after curing potting resin without using a cutter. <P>SOLUTION: The method of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module is disclosed wherein a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are fixed to a casing member using the potting resin; a gelling material having thermal gelling characteristics is heated to a gelling temperature or higher to be gelled to seal the openings of the hollow fiber membranes; the potting resin is filled on the gelling material and solidified; and the gelling material is cooled below the gelling temperature to open the openings of the hollow fiber membranes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module used in fields such as the electronics industry, food industry, and beverage industry, and more specifically, a method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module for solvent separation and deaeration having a solvent resistance. About.

  Porous membranes such as microfiltration membranes and ultrafiltration membranes are used in a wide range of fields for the purpose of treating contaminants such as industrial wastewater and sterilizing pharmaceutical water.

  The hollow fiber membrane module used in these fields includes a cylindrical type in which hollow fiber membranes are concentrically arranged in a circular shape or a concentric shape used in the field of conventional microfiltration. Hollow fiber membrane modules in which the shape of the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is almost rectangular have come to be used for high integration in the treatment tank.

  When suction filtration is performed with the hollow fiber membrane module in which the shape of the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is substantially rectangular, the hollow fiber membrane is suspended in the water to be filtered, and intermittently or continuously. Filtration can be performed while performing membrane surface cleaning. In the conventional cylindrical type microfiltration module, organic substances or the like are deposited on the surface of the hollow fiber membrane, and the hollow fiber membranes are fixed and integrated with each other, the effective membrane area is reduced, and the filtration flow rate may be drastically reduced. The hollow fiber membrane module in which the shape of the opening end of the hollow fiber membrane is substantially rectangular does not have such a defect, and the membrane function recovery process is very easy.

  As the potting resin used for the structure of such a hollow fiber membrane module, typically, there are three types of epoxy, polyurethane and acrylic. These potting resins are focused on forming a structure, providing a very strong bond between the two structural members, which is so strong that material breakage occurs before the interface breaks. Often there is.

  On the other hand, in manufacturing the module, it is necessary to open the end of the membrane. In the application, easy openability is more important than high adhesive strength. Therefore, various methods for achieving both adhesion as a structure and easy opening have been disclosed.

  Here, FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a water collecting pipe portion in a hollow fiber membrane module in which the opening of the hollow fiber membrane end face is substantially rectangular, and a conventional manufacturing example of the hollow fiber membrane module will be described. In the method shown in FIG. 3, the hollow fiber membrane (hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric) 1 is first resin-fixed using a rectangular formwork jig 8, and a part of the solidified resin is cut (dotted line portion). ) To form the open end 9 in the hollow fiber membrane. Thereafter, the opening end of the hollow fiber membrane fixed with resin is inserted into a substantially rectangular opening provided on the side surface of the water collecting pipe 2, and then the water collecting pipe 2 is turned upside down to open the opening 9 on the end face of the hollow fiber membrane. Potting resin (not shown) is filled in and fixed to the gap between the resin and the opening of the water collecting pipe 2 so as not to block.

  In these hollow fiber membrane module production examples, the hollow fiber membrane end is potted once in a rectangular shape, and a part of it is cut to provide an opening in the hollow fiber membrane, which is then inserted into the rectangular opening on the side of the water collection tube. The method of fixing is taken. For this reason, there is a risk of leakage from the joint surface between the water collecting pipe 2 and the potting resin 4, and leakage at the joint 6 may be a problem.

  Also, for example, in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, after placing a hollow core made of a soft resin provided with a recess in the water collection pipe, and setting the film end in the recess and solidifying with potting resin, A method is disclosed in which the end of the hollow core is opened with a cutter.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a method in which a water-soluble gel is filled and solidified, then fixed with a potting resin for fixing a hollow fiber membrane, and the end surface is opened by washing the water-soluble gel with water after solidification. .

Japanese Patent No. 3330231 Japanese Patent No. 3563658 Special table 2003-532521 gazette

  In manufacturing the module, it is necessary to open the end of the hollow fiber membrane. In the application, easy openability is more important than high adhesive strength.

  In the method according to Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, a large force is required when inserting the cutter into a long rectangle particularly in a large module, and there is a problem that a large load is applied to the cutting machine and the blade part. there were. In addition, if the resin is heat-treated for easy cutting, the flexibility of the resin increases, causing the resin to bend when the cutter is inserted, resulting in a problem that the cut surface becomes rough.

  Further, in the method according to Patent Document 3, when a gel that dissolves by heating is used, the potting resin is softened by heating, and the case member and the potting resin are peeled off.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module that can easily open the end of the hollow fiber membrane without using a cutter or the like after the potting resin is cured.

Therefore, the present invention provides
[1] A method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are fixed to a case member using a potting resin,
The opening end of the hollow fiber membrane sealed with the gelling material is sealed by heating the gelling material having a thermal gelation property to a gelling temperature or higher to cause gelation. A method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module, wherein an upper end of the hollow fiber membrane is opened by fixing an upper portion with a potting resin and cooling the gelling material below a gelling temperature.
[2] (1) The step of disposing the hollow fiber membrane and the gelling material having a temperature lower than the gelation temperature on the case member so that the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is immersed in the gelling material;
(2) heating the gelling material to a gelling temperature or higher and sealing the open end of the hollow fiber membrane;
(3) filling the potting resin on a gelling material having a temperature equal to or higher than the gelling temperature and solidifying the gelling material;
(4) cooling the gelling material to below the gelling temperature and opening the open end of the hollow fiber membrane;
The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to [1], comprising:
[3] The case member is a water collecting pipe that collects the filtered fluid inside the hollow fiber membrane,
In the step (1), the hollow fiber membrane module manufacturing method according to [2], wherein an open end of the hollow fiber membrane is inserted and disposed through an opening provided in the water collecting pipe.
[4] In the step (1), a groove forming jig provided with a recess so that the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is inserted is inserted into the water collecting pipe, and the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is inserted into the recess. The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to [3], wherein the gelling material is arranged and injected into the recess.
[5] In any one of [1] to [4], the gelling material is maintained at a gelling temperature or higher from the time when the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is sealed until the hollow fiber membrane is opened. The manufacturing method of the hollow fiber membrane module of description.
[6] The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the gelling material is alkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, or hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose.
[7] The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to [6], wherein the alkyl cellulose is methyl cellulose or ethyl cellulose.
[8] The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to [6], wherein the hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.
[9] The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to [6], wherein the hydroxyalkyl cellulose is hydroxyethyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl cellulose.
[10] In the Ubbelohde viscometer defined in JIS K2283-1993, the gelled material has a viscosity measurement value at 20 ° C. of a 2 mass% aqueous solution of 4,000 mPa · s to 30,000 mPa · s. The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to any one of [1] to [9].

  By the production method according to the present invention, the hollow fiber membrane can be easily opened after curing the potting resin, and without causing problems such as clogging in the opening of the hollow fiber membrane or peeling of the case member and the potting resin, A hollow fiber membrane module can be manufactured.

  The present invention seals the open end of a hollow fiber membrane using a gelling material having thermal gelation characteristics, fills the gelling material with a potting resin, and solidifies the hollow fiber membrane. Is fixed to the case member. And it is the method of opening the opening end of a hollow fiber membrane by making the gelatinized material gelatinized below gelation temperature.

  By the production method according to the present invention, the hollow fiber membrane can be easily opened after curing the potting resin, and without causing problems such as clogging in the opening of the hollow fiber membrane or peeling of the case member and the potting resin, A hollow fiber membrane module can be manufactured.

  Moreover, the gelling material having the thermal gelation property can flow in a normal temperature range and can be easily and sufficiently washed with water or the like. Furthermore, since the potting resin that has been injected is not softened, there is little problem in terms of rigidity.

  Hereinafter, each component in the present invention will be described.

(Hollow fiber membrane)
The fraction level of the hollow fiber membrane used in the present invention may be any level such as a microfiltration membrane (MF), an ultrafiltration membrane (UF), or a nanofiltration membrane (NF). In addition, as long as it can be used as a filtration membrane, there are no particular limitations on the pore diameter, porosity, film thickness, outer diameter, etc., and they are appropriately selected depending on what is to be filtered. Furthermore, in order to remove organic substances and viruses, an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cut off of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands may be used.

  The hollow fiber membrane of the present invention is, for example, a cellulose resin, a polyolefin resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a polysulfone resin, a polyacrylonitrile resin, a fluorine resin, or the like that can be molded into the shape of a separation membrane. Various materials can be used. For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polysulfone, or the like can be given.

  As the surface characteristics of the hollow fiber membrane, it is suitable to use a resin having strong chemical resistance, and preferably a fluororesin. Among the fluorine-based resins, it is more preferable to use vinylidene fluoride resin from the viewpoint of formability to the hollow fiber membrane and chemical resistance. Here, examples of the vinylidene fluoride resin include not only a homopolymer of vinylidene fluoride but also a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and a monomer copolymerizable therewith. Examples of the copolymerizable monomer include vinyl fluoride, ethylene tetrafluoride, ethylene trifluoride, and hexafluoropropylene.

  The hollow fiber membrane has a plurality of pores. The pores are preferably continuous pores penetrating the front and back surfaces of the hollow fiber membrane. The pore diameter can be arbitrarily selected depending on the purpose, but is, for example, 0.01 to 5 μm, preferably 0.1 to 1 μm.

  The hollow fiber membrane preferably has a two-layer structure. Moreover, it is more preferable that the hole diameter of one layer surface is small and the hole diameter of the other layer surface is large and it is an asymmetric structure. In the case of an asymmetric structure, the pore diameter on the surface of one layer is preferably larger than 1 time and smaller than or equal to 100 times, more preferably 2 times or larger and 10 times or smaller.

The outer diameter of the hollow fiber membrane is, for example, 0.1 to 10 mm, preferably 0.5 to 5 mm. The hollow fiber membrane preferably has a pure water permeability coefficient of 10 to 250 “m ³ / m ² / hr / MPa” indicating a liquid permeation performance with respect to pure water, and 20 to 150 “m ³ / m ² / hr”. / MPa "is more preferable. In addition, a pure water permeability coefficient can be calculated | required from the following formula | equation.
Pure water permeability coefficient = [pure water permeation amount (m ³ )] / [surface area of porous membrane (m ² )] / [permeation time (hours)] / [pure water pressure (MPa)]

<Method for producing hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric>
In the present invention, the hollow fiber membrane is preferably disposed on the case member as a hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric. The method for producing the hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric is not particularly limited, but if the hollow fiber membrane is a laminate of several knitted fabrics made of, for example, weft yarns, a substantially rectangular shape provided on the side surface of the water collecting pipe or the like. It is suitable for housing in the opening. A method for producing a knitted fabric is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 62-57965 and 1-266258.

(Case material)
The case member in the present invention is a member that is a target for fixing the hollow fiber membrane using a potting resin. For example, a hollow fiber membrane module in which the shape of the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is substantially rectangular corresponds to what is generally called a water collection pipe. Further, the case member is not limited to the water collecting pipe, and for example, in the case of a cylindrical type hollow fiber membrane module, what is generally referred to as a housing case corresponds.

(Gelling material with thermal gelation properties)
The thermal gelation property is a property having a solution state below the gelation temperature and having a gel state above the gelation temperature. As the gelling material, a material that gels quickly by heating or the like is preferable, and it is preferable that the gelling material does not have fluidity after gelation from the viewpoint of sealing the end face of the hollow fiber membrane. Moreover, as a gelling temperature of a gelling material, 40-100 degreeC is preferable and 50-80 degreeC is more preferable.

  Examples of the gelling material having thermal gelation properties include alkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkylalkyl cellulose and the like.

  As the alkylcellulose, methylcellulose is well known as a water-soluble polymer exhibiting a sol state at a low temperature and a gelation property at a high temperature. Further, water-soluble methylcellulose (MC) having 10 to 40% by mass of methoxyl group and ethylcellulose having 5 to 30% by mass of ethoxyl group are preferably used in order to impart water-solubility and thermal gel properties by heating to cellulose.

  Examples of the hydroxyalkyl cellulose include hydroxyethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose.

  As the hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, for example, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose having a methoxyl substitution degree of 28 to 30% by mass and a hydroxypropyl substitution degree of 7 to 12% by mass is preferable because of its high water separation rate. . The degree of substitution is described in J. Org. G. Gobler, E .; P. Samsel, and G.G. H. It can be measured according to the method by Zeisel-GC described in Beaver, Taranta, 9, 474 (1962).

  In addition, cellulose ethers such as carboxymethyl cellulose are also known as gelling materials.

  From the viewpoint of gel strength when gelled, the above-described methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, and the like are preferably used. Furthermore, among these exemplified gelling materials, methylcellulose is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of safety and environment.

  The cellulose ether used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and examples of the production method thereof include production as described in Japanese Patent No. 935023, Japanese Patent No. 2119115, and Japanese Patent No. 3001401. A method may be employed.

  For example, commercially available products include “Metrozu 65SH-4000” (trade name) which is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (hereinafter referred to as HPMC) manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. and “Metroses MCE4000” (trade name) which is methylcellulose (hereinafter referred to as MCE). ) Etc. are raised.

  The gelling material can be prepared by dissolving the above materials in a solvent such as water. The solvent and the like are not particularly limited, and can be appropriately selected according to the thermal gelation characteristics such as an organic solvent and the type of material. For example, since hydroxypropylmethylcellulose has a highly lipophilic methoxy group and hydroxypropyl group, it can be dissolved and swelled in an organic solvent. Moreover, you may add salts etc. to a gelling material suitably other than said material.

  In the present invention, since it is necessary for the gelling material to enter between the hollow fiber membranes, it is preferable that the viscosity is low. However, if it is too low, the hardness after thermal gelation is too low and fluidity tends to occur. Therefore, the viscosity of the gelled material in the solution state is preferably 4,000 mPa · s or more and 30,000 mPa · s, for example, in the aqueous solution viscosity at 20 ° C. of the 2 mass% aqueous solution, and is 4000 to 10,000 mPa · s. It is more preferable. By setting it to 4,000 mPa · s or more, the hardness after gelation can be made effective. Moreover, by setting it as 30,000 mPa * s or less, a gelling material can be easily removed after reliquefaction. As a method for measuring the viscosity, an Ubbelohde viscometer defined in JIS K2283-1993 may be used.

<Gelification temperature>
The gelation temperature in the present invention refers to the temperature at which the gelling material gels. The gelling temperature varies depending on the type of gelling material, its concentration, and the like. Moreover, approximate gelation temperature can also be grasped | ascertained by measuring gelation temperature. The change in viscosity was observed while changing the temperature of the test tube containing the gelling material in a constant temperature water bath, and the temperature at which the viscosity of the gelling material started to change more than the temperature change was defined as the gelation temperature.

  For example, when a gelling material is prepared using methyl cellulose (MCE), the gelation temperature of the 2 mass% aqueous solution is 45 ° C. when measured by the above method. Therefore, when this gelling material is used, the heating temperature is preferably set higher than the gelling temperature, for example, 60 ° C. or higher.

(Structure of hollow fiber membrane module)
Although it does not specifically limit as a hollow fiber membrane module manufactured by this invention, For example, the structure which has the shape where the hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric was potted in the water collection pipe | tube is mentioned. As its shape, the water collecting pipes may be provided at both ends of the hollow fiber membrane module, and either one of the water collecting pipes may be greatly opened. FIG. 5A shows a module in which a water collecting pipe is provided only at one end of the hollow fiber membrane, and FIG. 5B shows a module having a shape in which the water collecting pipe is on both sides.

  Further, for example, the shape of the water collecting pipe includes a rectangular shape, an annular shape, and a cylindrical shape. What is necessary is just to select a suitable shape in the range which does not reduce the washing | cleaning property by an air diffusion method.

  The water collection tube functions as a member that supports the hollow fiber membrane and collects the filtered fluid inside the hollow fiber membrane. The side surface of the water collecting pipe has an elongated, substantially rectangular opening, and a hollow fiber membrane is disposed in the opening. The material only needs to have mechanical strength and durability, and examples thereof include polycarbonate, polysulfone, polypropylene, acrylic resin, ABS resin, modified PPE resin, PPS resin, and corrosion-resistant metal. Those having good adhesion to the potting resin are more preferable.

  Moreover, as a hollow fiber membrane module manufactured by this invention, the whole hollow fiber membrane module includes a cylindrical thing, for example.

(Potting resin)
As the potting resin, a liquid resin such as an epoxy resin, an unsaturated polyester resin, or a polyurethane resin is usually used.

  Further, if necessary, additives such as a foaming agent, an antioxidant, an antistatic agent, a lubricant, a plasticizer and a pigment can be blended in the potting resin in a required amount.

<Method of filling the module with potting resin>
In the production of a hollow fiber membrane module, a method of utilizing centrifugal force is generally employed as a method for filling a liquid potting resin without a gap between the hollow fiber membranes. However, in the case of using the hollow fiber knitted fabric, the density of the hollow fiber membrane of the resin fixing part is regulated by the knitted fabric structure, and there is no bias. Therefore, a method using vibration or a method using only gravity is also possible. . Details of the resin fixing method (potting method) of the hollow fiber membrane by the vibration method are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-114515. The viscosity of the potting resin is preferably about 1 to 2.5 Pa · s (1000 to 2500 centipoise).

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the hollow fiber membrane module which concerns on this invention is demonstrated in detail with reference to drawings. In the following, a hollow fiber membrane module in which the shape of the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is substantially rectangular, that is, a hollow fiber membrane module in which the case member corresponds to a water collection pipe will be described as an example, but the present invention is particularly limited. It is not a thing.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a manufacturing process according to the present invention. (A) in each process is a cross section of a hollow fiber membrane module, (b) is a longitudinal section.

  First, a hollow fiber membrane (hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric) 1 having an open end 5 is disposed in an opening provided on the side surface of the water collecting pipe 2 (step (A)). Next, the gelling material 3 is poured into the water collecting pipe 2 and is gelled by heating the gelling material 3, temporarily fixing the hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric 1 and sealing the open end 5 of the hollow fiber membrane. (Step (B)). Alternatively, the hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric 1 may be disposed after the gelling material 3 is first injected into the water collecting pipe 2. In the step (B), 3 'represents a portion where the gelling material has entered between the hollow fiber membranes. The gelling material can be injected from, for example, the flow path 6 provided in the water collecting pipe 2. Next, the hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric 1 is fixed to the water collecting pipe 2 by filling the potting resin 4 on the gelling material 3 and solidifying it (step (C)). And after fixing the hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric 1, the gelling material 3 is cooled and removed (process (D)). The gelled material 3 that has been gelled by being heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the gelling temperature returns to a solution state by being cooled below the gelling temperature. And the open end 5 of the hollow fiber membrane can be opened by removing the gelled material 3 in the solution state. The removal of the gelling material 3 is not particularly limited, and may be washed with a solution such as water. In the present invention, since the gelling material 3 can be brought into a gel state or a solution state by controlling the temperature, the opening end 5 of the hollow fiber membrane can be easily sealed and opened.

(Embodiment 2)
In the method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module of the present invention, a groove forming jig that assists in immobilization can be used. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the shape of the groove forming jig.

<Groove forming jig>
The groove forming jig has a recess in a part thereof, and for example, when the groove forming jig and the water collecting tube are inserted so that the opening of the water collecting tube and the recessed portion are aligned, the groove can be formed. It is a member. The tip of the hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric can be put into the groove, and in the present invention, the gelling material is injected into the groove.

  The groove forming jig is preferably molded from a material having a good mold release property, such as silicon, polyacetal, polyethylene, polypropylene, and fluorine resin. Such a material can be easily extracted from the cured potting resin. In particular, it is preferably made of a fluororesin because of its releasability and hardness, and more preferably PTFE.

<Opening method of hollow fiber membrane end>
The manufacturing method of the hollow fiber membrane module of this invention when a groove part formation jig | tool is used is demonstrated with reference to FIG.

  First, the groove forming jig 7 is inserted into the water collecting pipe 2 so that the rectangular opening provided on the side surface of the water collecting pipe 2 and the concave portion of the groove forming jig (preferably made of foamed resin) 7 coincide with each other (FIG. 2 (A)). Next, the hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric 1 is put through the opening, and is arranged so that the tip of the opening end 5 of the hollow fiber membrane enters the recess of the groove forming jig 7 (FIG. 2B). Further, at this time, leakage prevention may be performed so that the gelling material 3 and the potting resin 4 do not leak from both ends of the water collecting pipe 2. Next, the gelling material 3 is poured from the opening and heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the gelation temperature to seal the opening end 5 of the hollow fiber membrane (FIG. 2C). Then, the potting resin 4 is poured onto the gelled material and cured (FIG. 2D). And a hollow fiber membrane module can be obtained by removing a groove part formation jig | tool from the water collection pipe | tube 2, cooling the gel-like thing 3 below gelation temperature, and removing the gel-like thing 3. FIG.

  A hollow fiber membrane module having no leakage from the resin fixing portion can be obtained by joining caps to both ends of the water collecting pipe 2 obtained as described above.

Here, the cap is preferably made of the same material as the water collecting pipe 2. For example, when the resins are the same material, they can be easily joined by solvent bonding, as is generally done for resin piping. Further, the water collecting pipe 2 and the cap form a male screw and a female screw, respectively, so that joining by screwing is also possible. It is desirable that the cap has a structure in which piping can be joined for suction filtration.
Moreover, in the present invention, it is possible to fix the resin with potting resin using a mold jig as in the conventional example, and then insert and fix it into the opening of the water collecting pipe. From the viewpoint of preventing leakage of water, a method of directly joining the water collecting pipe as shown in the above embodiment is preferable.

  As described above, by using a gelling material having a thermal gelation property as in the present invention, the hollow fiber membrane is sealed and opened at the open end without using a method such as cutting. Membrane modules can be easily mass-produced.

Moreover, you may use the hollow fiber membrane module manufactured by the manufacturing method of this invention for the purpose of deaeration.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although the Example demonstrates the manufacturing method of the hollow fiber membrane module of this invention concretely, this invention is not limited only to these Examples.

Example 1
Three porous hollow fiber membranes (manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., inner diameter 1000 μm, outer diameter 2800 μm) in which PET (polyester) fibers are processed into braids and formed with a PVDF porous portion on the surface are combined into a weft. Five knitted fabrics having a width of 1000 mm and a knitting length of 2000 mm were knitted to obtain a hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric. The end of this hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric was cut to form an open end.

  As a member of the water collecting pipe, a square pipe made of PPS (polyphenylsulfone) having an outer diameter of 38 mm, an inner diameter of 36 mm, and a length of 1200 mm (trade name: Sastil P60-12, manufactured by Tosoh Corporation) was used. A substantially rectangular opening having a width of 18 mm and a length of 1000 mm was provided on this side surface. Moreover, the groove part formation jig | tool was inserted from the both sides of this water collecting pipe, and the groove part was formed. Further, the water collecting pipe was sealed with a PTFE processing cap.

  As the gelling material, 2 masses of HPMC (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name; Metroles 65SH-4000, viscosity of 2% solution at 20 °, 400 mPa · s, gelling temperature: 75 ° C.) % Aqueous solution was used.

The hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric was inserted from the opening provided in the water collecting pipe, and the open end of the hollow fiber membrane was disposed in the groove. Next, a gelling material (2% by mass aqueous solution of HPMC) was injected in the vicinity (groove portion) of the hollow fiber membrane disposed in the vicinity of the opening. Next, the vicinity of the water collecting tube was heated to 70 ° C. with a far infrared heater, the gelled material was gelled, and the hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric was temporarily fixed. Thereafter, “Araldite 2020” (trade name, manufactured by Huntsman Japan), which is a room temperature curable epoxy resin, was filled as a potting resin and solidified. And the heating by the far-infrared heater which was heating the water collection pipe | tube was stopped, and it cooled until the gelled material became room temperature. After that, it is confirmed that the gelled material injected into the groove is liquefied, the groove forming jig is removed, the liquid is discharged, the gelated material liquid is washed with water, and the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is removed. Opened. After drying, a vinyl chloride cap with a pipe opening was solvent-bonded to both ends of the water collecting pipe. The effective membrane area of this hollow fiber membrane module was 25 m ² . Further, no leak was found in the membrane leak test using ethanol.

(Example 2)
The same procedure as in Example 1 was performed except that Araldite Urethane 98SB (trade name, manufactured by Huntsman Japan), which is a two-component curable urethane resin, was used as the potting resin. And the heating by the far-infrared heater which was heating the water collection pipe | tube was stopped, and it cooled until the gelled material became room temperature. After that, it is confirmed that the gelled material injected into the groove is liquefied, the groove forming jig is removed, the liquid is discharged, the gelated material liquid is washed with water, and the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is opened. I let you. After drying, a vinyl chloride cap with a pipe opening was solvent-bonded to both ends of the water collecting pipe. The effective membrane area of this hollow fiber membrane module was 25 m ² . Further, no leak was found in the membrane leak test using ethanol.

(Example 3)
As the gelling material, a 2% by weight aqueous solution of MC (methylcellulose, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name; Metroles SM-4000, viscosity of 2% solution at 20 ° is 4000 mPa · s, gelation temperature: 55 ° C.) The procedure was the same as in Example 1 except that was used. And the heating by the far-infrared heater which was heating the water collection pipe | tube was stopped, and it cooled until the gelled material became room temperature. After that, it is confirmed that the gelled material injected into the groove is liquefied, the groove forming jig is removed, the liquid is discharged, the gelated material liquid is washed with water, and the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is opened. I let you. After drying, a vinyl chloride cap with a pipe opening was solvent-bonded to both ends of the water collecting pipe. The effective membrane area of this hollow fiber membrane module was 25 m ² . Further, no leak was found in the membrane leak test using ethanol.

(Comparative example)
As the gelling material, the same procedure as in Example 1 was performed except that PVA (polyvinyl alcohol, manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd., trade name: Poval PVA217) was dissolved at 180 ° C. After cooling and solidifying, PVA was eluted using hot water at 80 ° C. However, in addition to requiring 3 hours for dissolution of PVA, peeling occurred between the water collecting member and the potting resin due to heating, so that a module could not be formed.

It is a figure explaining the process drawing of the manufacturing method of the hollow fiber membrane module by this invention ((a) cross-sectional view, (b) longitudinal cross-sectional view). In the manufacturing method of the hollow fiber membrane module by this invention, it is a figure explaining the process figure at the time of using a groove part formation jig | tool ((a) cross-sectional view, (b) longitudinal cross-sectional view). It is a figure which shows an example of a general hollow fiber membrane module ((a) transverse cross section, (b) longitudinal cross section). It is the external appearance perspective view which showed an example of the shape of a groove part formation jig | tool. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a hollow fiber membrane module. (A) It is a figure showing the structure which provided the water collection pipe | tube only in the one end of the hollow fiber membrane. (B) It is a figure showing the structure which provided the water collection pipe | tube on both sides of the hollow fiber membrane.

Explanation of symbols

1 Hollow fiber membrane (hollow fiber membrane knitted fabric)
2 Water collecting pipe 3 Gelling material 4 Potting resin 5 Open end 6 of hollow fiber membrane Cap 7 Groove forming jig 8 Formwork jig

Claims (10)

  A method of manufacturing a hollow fiber membrane module in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are fixed to a case member using a potting resin, and the gelling material having a thermal gelation property is heated to a gelling temperature or higher to be gelled. After sealing the open end of the hollow fiber membrane with the potting resin and fixing the upper end of the open end of the hollow fiber membrane sealed with the gelling material, the gelled material is cooled to below the gelling temperature. Thus, the hollow fiber membrane module manufacturing method is characterized in that the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is opened. (1) The step of disposing the hollow fiber membrane and the gelling material having a temperature lower than the gelation temperature on the case member so that the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is immersed in the gelling material;
(2) heating the gelling material to a gelling temperature or higher and sealing the open end of the hollow fiber membrane;
(3) filling the potting resin on a gelling material having a temperature equal to or higher than the gelling temperature and solidifying the gelling material;
(4) cooling the gelling material to below the gelling temperature and opening the open end of the hollow fiber membrane;
The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, comprising: The case member is a water collection pipe for collecting the filtered fluid inside the hollow fiber membrane;
In the step (1), an opening end of the hollow fiber membrane is inserted from an opening provided in the water collecting pipe, and in the step (3), the opening is fixed with the potting resin. The manufacturing method of the hollow fiber membrane module of Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.   In the step (1), a groove forming jig provided with a recess so that the open end of the hollow fiber membrane enters is inserted into the water collecting pipe, and the open end of the hollow fiber membrane is disposed in the recess, The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 3, wherein the gelling material is injected into the recess.   The hollow fiber membrane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gelling material is maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than a gelling temperature after the opening end of the hollow fiber membrane is sealed and opened. Module manufacturing method.   The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the gelling material is alkyl cellulose, hydroxyalkyl cellulose, or hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose.   The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 6, wherein the alkyl cellulose is methyl cellulose or ethyl cellulose.   The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 6, wherein the hydroxyalkylalkylcellulose is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.   The method for producing a hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 6, wherein the hydroxyalkyl cellulose is hydroxyethyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl cellulose.   In the Ubbelohde viscometer defined in JIS K2283-1993, the gelled material has a viscosity measurement value at 20 ° C. of a 2 mass% aqueous solution of 4,000 mPa · s or more and 30,000 mPa · s or less. The manufacturing method of the hollow fiber membrane module in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 9.