WO2012111250A1 - Method for loading separation membrane element, and separation membrane module - Google Patents

Abstract

When a separation membrane element (2) comprising a separation membrane is loaded in a cylindrical pressure vessel (7), the separation membrane element (2) is inserted into the pressure vessel (7) first so that the separation membrane element (2) is put onto a lubricative board (4A) in the pressure vessel (7). Next, the separation membrane element (2) is moved in an axial direction of the pressure vessel (7) while the board (4A) is slid on an inner circumferential surface (7a) of the pressure vessel (7). According to the method of the present invention, the separation membrane element (2) may be moved easily in the pressure vessel (7) by the board (4A).

Description

Separation membrane element loading method and separation membrane module

The present invention relates to a method of loading a separation membrane element in a cylindrical pressure vessel, and a separation membrane module obtained by this method.

Conventionally, a separation membrane module used for seawater desalination treatment or ultrapure water production is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this separation membrane module, generally, a plurality of separation membrane elements are loaded in a row in a cylindrical pressure vessel. When raw water is supplied into the pressure vessel from one end of the separation membrane module, the raw water is separated into permeated water and concentrated water by the separation membrane of the separation membrane element, and these are separated into the other of the separation membrane module. It is discharged separately from the end.

JP 2009-220104 A

Conventionally, separation membrane elements with an outer diameter of 8 inches have been the mainstream, but in recent years large separation membrane elements with an outer diameter of 16 to 24 inches have been developed. However, since such a large separation membrane element is much heavier than the conventional separation membrane element, it is difficult to load the separation membrane element into or out of the pressure vessel.

In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a method capable of improving workability when a separation membrane element is loaded in a pressure vessel, and provides a separation membrane module obtained by this method. Objective.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a method for loading a separation membrane element including a separation membrane into a cylindrical pressure vessel, wherein the separation membrane element is placed on a lubricating board in the pressure vessel. Loading the separation membrane element into the pressure vessel, and moving the separation membrane element in the axial direction of the pressure vessel while sliding the board on the inner peripheral surface of the pressure vessel. Provide a method.

Further, the present invention is arranged between a cylindrical pressure vessel, a separation membrane element including a separation membrane loaded in the pressure vessel, and between the separation membrane element and the inner peripheral surface of the pressure vessel. And a lubricating board that is slidable on the inner peripheral surface of the pressure vessel with the separation membrane element mounted thereon.

According to the above loading method, since the separation membrane element can be easily moved in the pressure vessel by the board, the workability when loading the separation membrane element in the pressure vessel can be improved. Also, when removing the separation membrane element from the pressure vessel, the separation membrane element can be easily moved using the same board that was used for loading. Can also be improved.

Front sectional view of the separation membrane module according to the first embodiment of the present invention Side sectional view along line II-II in FIG. Configuration diagram of spiral-type separation membrane element as an example of separation membrane element 4A to 4D are diagrams showing patterns of the cross-sectional shape of the board. The figure which shows the state in the middle of loading the separation membrane element in a pressure vessel in 1st Embodiment The figure which shows the state after loading the separation membrane element in the pressure vessel in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7A is a plan view of a board used in the second embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a front view of the board. Enlarged view of both ends of the seal member The figure which shows the state after loading the separation membrane element in the pressure vessel in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10A is a plan view of a board used in the third embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a front sectional view of the board. Plan view of a modified board

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description relates to an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a separation membrane module 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The separation membrane module 1 includes a cylindrical pressure vessel 7 called a vessel and a plurality of separation membrane elements 2 loaded in the pressure vessel 7.

Disc-shaped caps 8 and 9 are attached to both ends of the pressure vessel 7. On one side (left side in FIG. 1), a supply pipe 81 for supplying raw water into the pressure vessel 7 is provided at a position shifted from the center. The other (right side in FIG. 1) cap 9 is provided with a first discharge pipe 91 for taking out permeate at the center, and a second discharge pipe 92 for taking out concentrated water at a position shifted from the center. Is provided. That is, a flow of raw water from one cap 8 toward the other cap 9 is formed in the pressure vessel 7. The supply pipe 81 and the second discharge pipe 92 may be provided in the pressure vessel 7.

In this embodiment, a spiral type reverse osmosis membrane element is used as the separation membrane element 2. However, the separation membrane element 2 may be, for example, a spiral ultrafiltration membrane element or other cylindrical element.

Each separation membrane element 2 includes a central tube 21 functioning as a water collecting tube, a laminated body 22 wound around the central tube 21, a pair of end members 3 arranged with the laminated body 22 interposed therebetween, and a laminated body 22 and an exterior material 28 surrounding 22. The pair of end members 3 also serves to prevent the laminate 22 from extending in a telescopic manner.

In the present embodiment, the upstream end member 3 of the pair of end members 3 uses a pressure between the separation membrane element 2 and the inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure vessel 7 as the sealing member, and the upstream pressure of the raw water. A packing 5 having a substantially U-shaped cross section for sealing is attached. In the present embodiment, each end member 3 is fixed to the central tube 21 so that their end faces substantially coincide with each other, and when the adjacent separation membrane elements 2 are connected to each other by the coupler 61, the end member 3 is used. They are in close contact with each other. A plug 62 is attached to the central tube 21 of the separation membrane element 2 located on the most upstream side, and the central tube 21 of the separation membrane element 2 located on the most downstream side is connected to the first discharge tube by the second connector 63. 91 is connected.

As shown in FIG. 3, the central tube 21 of each separation membrane element 2 is formed with a plurality of introduction holes through which filtered water flows.

The laminated body 22 has a rectangular shape in which the winding direction is one opposite side direction, and the membrane leaf in which the separation membrane 23 is superimposed on both surfaces of the permeated water flow path material 24 and the raw water flow path material 25. Including. The membrane leaf has a configuration in which the separation membranes 23 are joined to each other at three sides so as to form a bag opening in one direction, and the opening communicates with the introduction hole of the central tube 21. The permeate flow path member 24 is a net made of, for example, a resin, and forms a flow path for allowing permeate to flow between the separation membranes joined to each other. The raw water channel material 25 is, for example, a net made of resin (a net having a mesh size larger than that of the permeated water channel material 24), and forms a channel for flowing the raw water between the surrounding portions of the wound membrane leaf. To do.

Examples of the material constituting the separation membrane 23 include aromatic polyamides excellent in pressure reduction, polyvinyl alcohols excellent in permeability, and sulfonated polyether sulfones suitable for nanofiltration membranes.

Returning to FIG. 1, the pair of end members 3 have the same shape. Specifically, each end member 3 includes an inner cylindrical portion 31 that is fitted to the end portion of the central tube 21 from the outside, and an outer cylindrical portion 32 that is concentric with the inner cylindrical portion 31 and surrounds the inner cylindrical portion 31 while being spaced apart. have. The inner cylinder part 31 and the outer cylinder part 32 are connected to each other by a plurality of ribs (not shown) arranged radially. The space between the ribs constitutes a circulation port through which the raw water flows through the end member 3.

On the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical portion 32, an annular groove 35 that opens radially outward is formed over the entire circumference, and the packing 5 is disposed in the annular groove 35. In addition, a step for holding the exterior material 28 is formed in the outer cylindrical portion 32. For this reason, the exterior material 28 is sandwiched between the pair of end members 3.

However, the pair of end members 3 are not necessarily required to have the same shape as each other. For example, the annular groove 35 may not be formed in the end member 3 on the downstream side. Alternatively, the packing 5 may be attached only to the downstream end member 3, and the upstream end member 3 may not have the annular groove 35 formed therein.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a lubricating board 4A is arranged between each separation membrane element 2 and the inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure vessel 7. The board 4A is slidable on the inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure vessel 7 with the separation membrane element 2 placed thereon.

The board 4A may be made of a self-lubricating resin such as polypropylene (PP). Alternatively, the board 4A may be one in which a base material is coated with a resin having a self-lubricating property. Examples of such a resin include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicon, polyethylene, polyacetal, and nylon.

The board 4A is disposed so as to support the exterior material 28. In the present embodiment, the board 4A has a flat rectangular plate shape and is maintained in a curved state along the inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure vessel 7 as shown in FIG. The length of the board 4A is preferably the same as or slightly shorter than the axial length of the exterior material 28. The width of the board 4A may coincide with the circumferential length of the exterior material 28 so as to be cylindrical, but 1/3 to 1 of the circumferential length of the exterior material 28 so as to cover the lower part of the exterior material 28 / 2 is preferable. The board 4 </ b> A has a thickness that is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the difference between the inner diameter of the pressure vessel 7 and the outer diameter of the exterior material 28.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the sliding surface 4a contacting the inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure vessel 7 in the board 4A may be flat. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the friction coefficient with respect to the inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure vessel 7, it is preferable that the sliding surface 4a has irregularities. For example, the sliding surface 4a may have a shape having a hemispherical protrusion as shown in FIG. 4B, a shape having a triangular protrusion as shown in FIG. 4C, or FIG. 4D. A shape having a quadrangular protrusion as shown in FIG.

Next, a method of loading the separation membrane element 2 into the pressure vessel 7 using the board 4A will be described with reference to FIG.

First, in a state where the board 4A is arranged below the separation membrane element 2 so as to wrap the separation membrane element 2 from below, more specifically, a state where the board 4A is curved so as to be in close contact with the lower portion of the exterior material 28 Then, the separation membrane element 2 is inserted into the pressure vessel 7. As a result, the separation membrane element 2 is placed on the board 4 </ b> A in the pressure vessel 7.

Next, the separation membrane element 2 is moved in the axial direction of the pressure vessel 7 while sliding the board 4A on the inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure vessel 7, and the separation membrane element 2 is arranged at a normal position.

If the separation membrane element 2 is loaded in the pressure vessel 7 by such a method, the separation membrane element 2 can be easily moved in the pressure vessel 7 by the board 4A. It is possible to improve the workability when loading the battery. Further, when the separation membrane element 2 is taken out from the pressure vessel 7 during maintenance or the like, the separation membrane element 2 can be easily moved using the board 4A used at the time of loading in the same manner. The workability at the time of taking 2 out of the pressure vessel 7 can also be improved.

Note that the separation membrane element 2 does not necessarily have the pair of end members 3. For example, the laminate 22 and the exterior material 28 may be provided over the entire length of the central tube 21.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a separation membrane module according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIGS. 7A and 7B. The separation membrane module according to the second embodiment is different from the separation membrane module 1 according to the first embodiment only in the board used, and therefore only the board will be described below. This is the same in the third embodiment described later. Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the flow direction of the raw water in FIG. 6 is from left to right as in FIG. 1, but the flow direction of the raw water in FIG. It may be left.

In this embodiment, between the separation membrane element 2 and the inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure vessel 7, two types of lubricating boards, the first board 4B and the second board 4C, are arranged. The first board 4B and the second board 4C are arranged so as to support each of the pair of end members 3 of each separation membrane element 2.

Specifically, the second board 4C is disposed corresponding to the downstream end member 3 in the separation membrane element 2 located on the most downstream side, and the first board 4B is the end of the other separation membrane element 2 It arrange | positions corresponding to the member 3. FIG. The first board 4B has a size capable of supporting both the end members 3 of the adjacent separation membrane elements 2 facing each other, and is shared by the adjacent separation membrane elements 2.

The first board 4B and the second board 4C are made of the same material as the board 4A of the first embodiment, and have a flat rectangular plate shape. The width of the first board 4B and the second board 4C may coincide with the circumferential length of the end member 3 so as to be cylindrical, but the circumference of the end member 3 so as to cover the lower part of the end member 3 It is preferably 1/3 to 1/2 of the length. Further, the first board 4B and the second board 4C have a thickness substantially equal to the difference between the inner diameter of the pressure vessel 7 and the outer diameter of the end member 3.

A rod-like seal member 42 made of, for example, rubber is attached to the first board 4B. That is, the 1st board 4B and the sealing member 42 comprise the sealing board of this invention. The seal member 42 may be formed separately from the first board 4B and then joined to the first board 4B, but may be molded integrally with the first board 4B.

More specifically, the first board 4B has a main portion 41a located immediately below the upstream end member 3 in each separation membrane element 2, and an outer overhang extending outward from the main portion 41a beyond the end surface of the separation membrane element 2. It consists of the part 41b and the inner side overhang | projection part 41c extended inside from the main part 41a. The sealing member 42 described above is fixed to the main portion 41a.

The length of the outer projecting portion 41 b is set sufficiently larger than the thickness of the end member 3. Thereby, as described above, the first board 4B not only includes the upstream end member 3 in each separation membrane element 2, but also the downstream end member 3 in the separation membrane element 2 adjacent to the separation membrane element 2. Can also be supported.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base part 43 for supporting the exterior material 28 is provided in the inner side overhang | projection part 41c. The pedestal portion 43 may be molded integrally with the first board 4B, or may be formed separately from the first board 4B and then joined to the first board 4B. In addition, the base part 43 may be provided in the outer side overhang | projection part 41b.

The sealing member 42 described above is a ring shape that can seal the gap between the separation membrane element 2 and the inner peripheral surface of the pressure vessel 7 by being fitted into the annular groove 35 of the upstream end member 3 in each separation membrane element 2. It becomes.

It is preferable that both end portions 42 a and 42 b of the seal member 42 are formed in a shape that can be polymerized with each other in the axial direction of the pressure vessel 7. In order to realize this, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the tip portions 42a and 42b are shaved from opposite sides in the axial direction so that the tip portions 42a and 42b can be engaged with each other, thereby forming thin portions 42c and 42d that overlap each other. do it. However, the total thickness of the thin portions 42c and 42d is preferably greater than or equal to the thickness of the uncut portion.

On the other hand, the second board 4C is provided with only the protrusion 49 that fits into the annular groove 35 of the end member 3 over the entire width of the second board 4C.

Next, a method for loading the separation membrane element 2 into the pressure vessel 7 using the first board 4B and the second board 4C will be described. In the following, a method of first loading the separation membrane element 2 positioned on the most downstream side from the left side to the right side in FIG. 6 will be described as an example. It is also possible to initially load the separation membrane element 2 located.

First, the second board 4C is arranged below the end member 3 on the downstream side of the separation membrane element 2 located on the most downstream side so as to wrap the end member 3 from below, and below the end member 3 on the upstream side. The first board 4B is arranged so as to wrap the end member 3 from below. Further, the seal member 42 attached to the first board 4B is fitted into the annular groove 35 of the end member 3 to form a ring shape. In this state, the separation membrane element 2 is inserted into the pressure vessel 7 from the second board 4C side. Thus, the separation membrane element 2 is placed on the second board 4C and the first board 4B in the pressure vessel 7.

Next, the separation membrane element 2 (hereinafter referred to as “second separation membrane element 2”) adjacent to the separation membrane element 2 located at the most downstream side (hereinafter referred to as “first separation membrane element 2”). The end member 3 on the downstream side is placed on the first board 4B that has already been inserted into the pressure vessel 7 and is curved along the inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure vessel 7. In the same manner as described above, the first board 4B is arranged below the upstream end member 3. The first separation membrane element 2 is moved in the axial direction of the pressure vessel 7 while sliding the second board 4C and the first board 4B on the inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure vessel 7, and the second separation membrane element 2 is inserted into the pressure vessel 7.

By repeating the above operation, all the separation membrane elements 2 can be loaded into the pressure vessel 7. Note that the adjacent separation membrane elements 2 may be connected outside the pressure vessel 7 and both of the end members 3 facing each other may be simultaneously wrapped by the first board 4B.

Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, both workability when loading the separation membrane element 2 into the pressure vessel 7 and workability when removing the separation membrane element 2 from the pressure vessel 7 are improved. Can do.

Further, in the present embodiment, a rod-shaped seal member 42 is employed. For example, in the ring-shaped packing 5 as shown in FIG. 1, since it is necessary to pass the packing 5 through a portion having a larger diameter than the annular groove 35, considerable effort is required for mounting the packing 5. On the other hand, the rod-shaped seal member 42 can be easily mounted by simply bending the seal member 42 along the annular groove 35.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the outer overhanging portion 41b extends beyond the end face of the separation membrane element 2, the outer overhanging portion 41b is exposed if the upstream separation membrane element 2 is taken out. For this reason, when the separation membrane element 2 is taken out, the separation membrane element 2 can be pulled out by grasping the tip of the outer overhanging portion 41b, and the workability when taking out the separation membrane element 2 from the pressure vessel 7 can be further improved. it can.

Furthermore, since the pedestal portion 43 is provided in the inner overhanging portion 41c, the pedestal portion 43 plays a role of engaging with the end member 3 when the outer overhanging portion 41b is pulled.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a separation membrane module according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIGS. 10A and 10B. In the present embodiment, a third board 4D whose shape is slightly changed is used instead of the first board 41B. Other configurations of the present embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment.

Specifically, in the third board 4D, the outer projecting portion 41b is formed in a shape that is long enough to be able to grasp and lift the tip and taper toward the tip. A hole 44 for placing a finger is formed at the tip of the outer overhanging portion 41b.

With such a configuration, when the separation membrane element 2 is pulled out by grasping the tip of the outer overhang portion 41b, a force can be easily applied to the tip of the outer overhang portion 41b.

(Other embodiments)
In the second and third embodiments, only one seal member 42 is attached to the first board 4B or the third board 4D. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the seal member 42 includes adjacent separation membrane elements. Two may be attached to the first board 4B or the third board 4D so as to fit into the annular grooves 35 of the two end members 3 facing each other. If it becomes like this, even if it does not use the coupler 61 (refer FIG. 1), it will become possible to connect the separation membrane elements 2 adjacent by the 1st board 4B or the 3rd board 4D.

Also, the number of separation membrane elements 2 loaded in the pressure vessel 7 is not necessarily plural, and may be one.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Separation membrane module 2 Separation membrane element 3 End member 35 Annular groove 4A-4D Board 41a Main part 41b Outward projecting part 42 Seal member 42a, 42b Tip part 44 Hole

Claims (14)

A method of loading a separation membrane element including a separation membrane into a cylindrical pressure vessel,
The separation membrane element is inserted into the pressure vessel so that the separation membrane element can be placed on a lubricious board in the pressure vessel, and the separation membrane is slid on the inner peripheral surface of the pressure vessel. A separation membrane element loading method, wherein the element is moved in the axial direction of the pressure vessel. The separation membrane element includes an exterior material surrounding the separation membrane,
The separation board element loading method according to claim 1, wherein the board is arranged to support the exterior member. The separation membrane element includes a pair of end members arranged with the separation membrane interposed therebetween,
The separation membrane element loading method according to claim 1, wherein the board is disposed so as to support each of the pair of end members. On the outer peripheral surface of at least one end member of the pair of end members, an annular groove is formed that opens radially outward over the entire circumference.
4. The separation membrane element loading method according to claim 3, wherein the board includes a sealing board to which a rod-like seal member that is ring-shaped by being fitted into the annular groove is attached to the board. The method for loading a separation membrane element according to claim 4, wherein both end portions of the seal member are formed in a shape that can be polymerized with each other in the axial direction of the pressure vessel. The separation membrane element loading method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the sealing board has an overhanging portion extending beyond the end surface of the separation membrane element from a portion located directly below the end member. The separation membrane element loading method according to claim 6, wherein a hole for placing a finger is formed at a tip of the overhanging portion. A tubular pressure vessel;
A separation membrane element including a separation membrane, loaded in the pressure vessel;
A lubricating board disposed between the separation membrane element and the inner peripheral surface of the pressure vessel, and capable of sliding on the inner peripheral surface of the pressure vessel with the separation membrane element mounted thereon;
A separation membrane module. The separation membrane element includes an exterior material surrounding the separation membrane,
The separation membrane module according to claim 8, wherein the board is arranged to support the exterior material. The separation membrane element includes a pair of end members arranged with the separation membrane interposed therebetween,
The separation membrane module according to claim 8, wherein the board is disposed so as to support each of the pair of end members. On the outer peripheral surface of at least one end member of the pair of end members, an annular groove is formed that opens radially outward over the entire circumference.
11. The separation membrane module according to claim 10, wherein the board includes a sealing board to which a rod-like seal member that is ring-shaped by being fitted into the annular groove is attached to the board. 12. The separation membrane module according to claim 11, wherein both end portions of the seal member are formed in a shape that can be polymerized in the axial direction of the pressure vessel. The separation membrane module according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the sealing board has an overhanging portion that extends beyond the end surface of the separation membrane element from a portion located directly below the end member. The separation membrane module according to claim 13, wherein a hole for placing a finger is formed at a tip of the overhanging portion.

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