Patent ID: 6589426
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: B01D,C02F

Abstract:
A method of purifying feedwater to remove impurities including suspended solids therefrom, the method using water in-line pressure to permeate water through membranes and to backflush the membranes to remove solids collected thereon, the method comprising:(a) providing a closed chamber defined by a wall having an inside and having: (i) a first end and a second end; (ii) membranes selected from ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes extending between said first end and said second end; and (iii) a feedwater entrance for connecting to a water line to introduce feedwater to said chamber at in-line pressure, a permeate water exit and a concentrate water exit; (b) introducing feedwater through said entrance to said chamber; (c) filtering said water in said chamber by using said in-line pressure to pass water through the membranes to provide permeate water inside said membranes and to concentrate suspended solids outside said membranes to provide concentrate water; (d) collecting said permeate water from said membranes in a permeate collector and dispersing said permeate water from the permeate collector to in-line pressure; (e) simultaneously with said collecting and dispersing said permeate water for use, directing a portion of said permeate water to a pressure tank which collects permeate water under incline water pressure, said pressure tank in liquid connection with said permeate collector; and (f) periodically draining said chamber to remove concentrate water, concurrently therewith backflushing said membranes with permeate water from said pressure tank to remove solids from said membranes.