Patent ID: 6168714
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A filtration system comprising: (a) a feed supply for providing a feed solution; (b) a feed pump connected to said feed solution; (c) a cross-flow membrane filter connected downstream of said feed pump for separating said feed into a permeate and retentate, said cross-flow membrane filter including at least two membrane ports, which are connected to said feed supply and said feed pump to provide said feed solution to said feed solution to said filter and to collect retentate therefrom, and at least two permeate outlets, which are each selectively connectable to a permeate receptacle for the collection of said permeate; (d) a valve manifold assembly located between said feed pump and said membrane ports of said cross-flow membrane filter for selectively reversing the flow of said feed solution through said membrane ports of said cross-flow membrane filter; and (e) a tertiary valve assembly for selectively connecting each of said permeate outlets to said permeate receptacle for controlling the direction of permeate flow across the permeate side of the membrane.