Siemens Industry, Inc.

Siemens Water Technologies Pte. Ltd.

Evoqua Water Technologies Pte. Ltd.

U.S. Filter Wastewater Group, Inc.

Pall Seitzschenk Filtersystems Gmbh

Joachim Muller

Fufang Zha

David John Cox

Daniel Edward Mullette

Cinzia Lea

Neeta Patel

Georg Schnieder

George Schneider

A method of cleaning a membrane () in a membrane filtration system by flowing gas bubbles past the surfaces of the membrane () to scour accumulated solids therefrom. The method includes flowing a liquid past a supply of gas; creating a reduced pressure within the liquid flow to cause a flow of gas from the supply of gas () into the liquid flow and form gas bubbles therein and then flowing the liquid containing the gas bubbles past the surfaces of the membrane () to scour the surfaces thereof. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Simple gas scouring method and apparatus

A membrane module includes at least one hollow fiber membrane; a first resin layer formed around an end of the at least one hollow fiber membrane; and a second resin layer chemically bound to the first resin layer, wherein the second resin layer is of greater flexibility than the first resin layer.

Membrane module

The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, poly(ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene) (HALAR&#xae;), PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.

Membrane post treatment

The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, Halar, PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.

An apparatus for potting membranes. The apparatus may include a mould for receiving ends of the membranes, means for forming a first layer of a curable resin material around the ends in the mould, and means for applying a second layer of a flexible resin material to the first layer prior to full curing of the first layer. The flexible resin material may be chemically reactive with the curable resin material to form an adhesive bond therebetween. A potting sleeve may be positioned within the mould. A centrifuge may receive the curable resin and/or the flexible resin material upstream of the mould.

Apparatus for potting membranes

A method of forming a pot for an array of hollow fiber membranes () is provided, including the steps of placing the ends () of the fiber membranes () in a mould (); forming a first layer () of curable resin material in a non-cured state around the fiber membrane ends (), applying a second layer () of a polyurethane resin material to the first layer () prior to full curing of the first layer, the polyurethane resin material layer being chemically reactive with the first layer material to form an adhesive bond therebetween; at least partially curing both layers and removing the pot formed from the mould (), wherein the second layer material is of higher flexibility than the first layer material when each layer is fully cured. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

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Thornleigh, Australia

Joachim Muller