The Dow Chemical Company

Johnny L Trimmer

Terrence L Caskey

Janine L Jorgensen

George E Mahley, Iii

Daniel O Clark

John A Jensvold

Thomas Caldwell Young

Robert T Krueger

Randall A Yoshisato

Stephen A Dunning

The present invention is a bore-fed hollow fiber membrane device which possesses improved shellside countercurrent flow distribution. More specifically, the hollow fiber membrane bundle has a radial Peclet number of about 30 or lower which results in improved fluid recovery and productivity.

Boreside feed hollow fiber membrane device

The invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane device having a hollow fiber membrane bundle with tubesheets, separable end caps, clamshell-shaped retainers for joining the end caps to the tubesheets, associated circumferential keepers which positionally constrain the clamshell-shaped retainers, and an optional envelope which encloses the membrane bundle.

Clamshell retainer used in hollow fiber membrane devices

The present invention is a fluid separation module having improved permeate flow characteristics and improved space/volume requirements. Such modules comprise a hollow fiber bundle, a first and optional second tubesheet, an optional casing, a feed inlet, a permeate outlet, and a non-permeate outlet. The module is coiled, curved or bent into a useful non-linear shape which reduces the space requirements for the module essentially without diminishing the effectiveness of the fluid separation. The feed fluid is introduced to the module either in a boreside or a shellside manner. Coil, french horn, spiral or U-shaped configuration or combinations thereof are useful.

Flexible hollow fiber fluid separation module

Disclosed is a process for sealing a hollow fiber membrane separation module into a case. The hollow fiber mambrane separation module is formed from a plurality of hollow fibers arranged in a bundle surrounding a core and having tube sheets surrounding each end of the bundle which bind the hollow fibers together. The disclosed process simultaneous with such sealing creates first and second spaces overlying the ends of the plurality of hollow fibers. Such first and second spaces, in cooperation, permit the introduction and withdrawal of fluids through the lumens of the hollow fibers.

Method for sealing a hollow fiber membrane module in a case

The invention is a hollow fiber membrane fluid separation device specially adapted for boreside feed which contains multiple concentric stages.

Hollow fiber membrane fluid separation device adapted for boreside feed

The invention is a hollow fiber membrane fluid separation device specially adapted for boreside feed.

The invention is a fluid separation module with improved permeate flow characteristics. Such modules comprise a hollow fiber bundle, two tubesheets, a tubesheet support which encircles the bundle and is contacted with the outer edge of the inside of both tubesheets, a feed inlet, a permeate outlet, a non-permeate outlet, a core, and one or more baffles for channeling flow, wherein the baffles for channeling flow have one end embedded in the second tubesheet and the second end placed at a short distance from the first tubesheet, with the distance between the end of the baffles for channeling flow and the first tubesheet being sufficient to allow the permeate stream flowing along the baffles for channeling flow to flow to the permeate outlet.

Hollow fiber membrane fluid separation module for boreside feed

A hollow fiber reverse osmosis permator separation unit capable of producing over 100,000 gallons per day of processed water. The hollow fibers are spirally wound on a hollow core creating a bundle of fiber lengths. Each of the fiber lengths pass through a tubesheet which is drilled with a hole pattern that cuts through all of the hollow fibers.

Growing community of inventors

Antioch, CA, United States of America

Johnny L Trimmer