Patent ID: 6814861
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: B01D,C02F

Abstract:
A system for purifying feedwater to remove impurities including solids therefrom, the system for use with in-line water pressure to permeate water through membranes and to remove solids collected thereon, the system comprising:(a) a closed chamber having a first end and a second end and a first region and a second region, a feedwater entrance for connecting to a feedwater line, a permeate water exit and a concentrate water exit; (b) membranes provided in said chamber and adapted for permeating water therethrough to purify water to provide permeate water and to reject solids under in-line water pressure to provide concentrate water in said chamber; (c) a permeate collector for collecting said permeate water through said permeate water exit for distribution; (d) a pressure tank in fluid connection with said permeate water collector, said pressure tank adapted for storing permeate water at in-line water pressure, said pressure tank adapted for backflushing said membranes with permeate water; and (e) means for periodically draining concentrate water from said chamber through said concentrate water exit and lowering the pressure in said chamber below in-line water pressure, and means for backwashing said membranes with permeate water from said pressure tank to dislodge solids from said membranes for removal with said concentrate water during said draining, said means for backwashing activated by said means for draining and lowering the pressure in said chamber.