Patent ID: 9573824
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: B01D,C02F,Y02W

Claim:
1. A method of cleaning a membrane module in an array of membrane modules immersed in a liquid feed tank, the module comprising a plurality of membrane bundles, the method comprising: applying a pressurized gas to a gas collection chamber of a gas-lift pump device positioned below the membrane bundles of the module, a single gas-lift pump device positioned below each single module in the array of membrane modules and each single module in the array of membrane modules associated with a single gas-lift pump, wherein, the gas applied to the gas collection chamber displaces feed liquid within the chamber until the gas reaches an opening in a central riser tube that extends through the gas collection chamber and has a first end in fluid communication with the membrane bundles and a second end fluidly connected to the liquid feed tank, whereupon a surge of gas passes through the opening and creates a bubble slug that flows into the membrane module, the surge of gas providing