# Patent

## Title
Membrane system backwash energy efficiency

## Abstract

A method of backwashing a membrane filtration system comprising at least one permeable membrane, preferably a hollow fiber membrane, the method comprising the step of applying a pressurized gas at a variable pressure to permeate remaining present in the system when filtration process is stopped or suspended to provide liquid for backwashing pores of the permeable membrane during a backwashing process. Also provided are methods of filtering solids from a liquid suspension using alternating liquid backwash pressures.

## Background
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to membrane filtration systems and more particularly to improved methods and apparatus for cleaning the membranes used in such systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Membrane cleaning is a key step to the success of any ongoing membrane filtration process. Without regular cleaning the membranes become clogged with impurities and decrease in efficiency until they are eventually rendered inoperative. Different physical membrane cleaning strategies have been proposed and published. A summary of some typical methods is described below.
1. Scrubbing membranes with gas bubbles. This method was first published by Yamamoto et al. (Water Science Technology, Vol. 2, pages 43-54; 1989) and has been widely used in low-pressure filtration processes. The shear force created by gas bubbles removes fouling materials on the membrane surface, but does little to reduce the fouling within the membrane pores.

2. Backwash or back pulsing method. This method uses a reversed flow of fluid (relative to the filtration flow direction) through the membrane pores to dislodge fouling materials therefrom. Either gas or liquid or a combination thereof can be used as a fluid in the reverse backwash.

In PCT Publication WO 03/059495, Bartels et al. describe a backwash technique where the hollow fibre membranes are pressurized with a gas on a feed side at a specified time during the backwash. They describe the periodic use of such backwashes to effectively remove fouling components from the hollow fibre membranes.
To carry out a liquid backwash, typically a liquid pump and a liquid holding tank are required. The pump delivers a permeate flow in a reverse direction to the normal filtration flow through the membrane pores to clean accumulated solids and impurities from the membranes pores.
In some pressurised filtration systems it has been found advantageous to use a gas pushed liquid backwash for the pressurized system which provides improved efficiency without compromising backwash performance. A gas pushed liquid backwash is generally achieved by sending compressed gas, typically air, to the lumen side of a hollow fibre membrane and pushing the filtrate remaining in the lumen at the end of a filtration cycle to shell or feed side of membrane wall. The backwash air pressure is typically set to more than 150 kPa. It is desirable to keep the air pressure required to a minimum in order to reduce the cost and energy requirements for production of the pressurised air.
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. According to a first aspect, the invention provides a method of backwashing a membrane filtration system comprising at least one permeable hollow membrane, the method comprising the step of applying a pressurised gas at a variable pressure to permeate remaining present in the system when filtration process is stopped or suspended to provide liquid for backwashing pores of the permeable hollow membrane during a backwashing process.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method of filtering solids from a liquid suspension comprising the steps of:
(i) providing a pressure differential across a wall of a permeable hollow membrane immersed in the liquid suspension, the liquid suspension being applied to an outer surface of the permeable hollow membrane to induce and sustain filtration through the wall of permeable hollow membrane wherein:

    
    
        (a) at least part of the liquid suspension passes through the wall of the membrane to be drawn off as permeate from a lumen of the permeable hollow membrane; and
        (b) at least some of the solids are retained on or in the permeable hollow membrane or otherwise as suspended solids within the liquid surrounding the permeable hollow membrane; and

(ii) periodically backwashing membrane pores using permeate remaining within the permeable hollow membrane lumen and/or a filtrate manifold where present by applying a gas at a variable pressure below bubble point of the permeable hollow membrane to the permeate to displace at least some of the permeate within the lumen and/or filtrate manifold through pores of the permeable hollow membrane resulting in removal of the solids retained on or in the permeable hollow membrane.

    
    


According to a third aspect, the invention provides a method of filtering solids from a liquid suspension in a filtration system comprising:
(i) providing a pressure differential across a wall of a permeable hollow membrane having a liquid suspension applied to a lumen surface of the permeable hollow membrane to induce and sustain filtration through the wall of the permeable hollow membrane wherein:

    
    
        (a) at least part of the liquid suspension passes through the wall of the permeable hollow membrane to be drawn off as permeate from an outer surface of the permeable hollow membrane; and
        (b) at least some solids are retained on or in the permeable hollow membrane or otherwise as suspended solids within the permeable hollow membrane;

(ii) stopping or suspending the filtration process; and

(iii) periodically backwashing pores of the permeable hollow membrane using permeate remaining in the filtration system after the suspension of the filtration process by applying a gas at a variable pressure below bubble point of the permeable hollow membrane to the permeate to displace at least some of the permeate through pores of the permeable hollow membrane resulting in removal of the solids retained on or in the permeable hollow membrane.

    
    


Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
The gas pressure is preferably varied between a first and a second value, the first value being higher than the second value. For preference the first and second pressure values are determined on the basis of a measurable membrane characteristic such as membrane permeability or membrane filter resistance.
Preferably, the first value gas pressure is used when membrane permeability is at or below a first predetermined value and the second value gas pressure is used when membrane permeability is at or above a second predetermined value.
Preferably, the first value gas pressure is used when membrane resistance is at or above a first predetermined value and the second value gas pressure is used when the membrane resistance is at or below a second predetermined value.
The first and second predetermined values may be different values or they may be the same value.
The gas pressure may be continuously varied, cycled or alternated between the first and second values
The solids are preferably removed into bulk liquid surrounding the membranes during the backwashing step.
The permeable hollow membrane is preferably a permeable polymeric hollow fibre membrane. Preferably, a number of permeable polymeric hollow fibre membranes are bundled and potted into a module in parallel fashion. The lumens of the hollow fibres are preferably in fluid communication with a filter manifold.
The membrane filtration system may be a single fibre, a single module, a plurality of modules or a single module within a plurality of modules.
Preferably a plurality of hollow fibre membrane modules is included in the filtration system.
In certain alternative embodiments, the membrane filtration system is a pressurised membrane filtration system.
In other alternative embodiments, the membrane filtration system is a submerged membrane filtration system.
In further alternative embodiments, the membrane is not necessarily a hollow fibre membrane, but can be for example a flat sheet.
In another aspect the invention also provides a method of backwashing a membrane filtration system comprising at least one permeable membrane, the method comprising the step of applying variable pressure to permeate remaining present in the system when filtration process is stopped or suspended to provide liquid for backwashing pores of the permeable membrane during a backwashing process.
Variable pressure may be applied by applying gas at variable pressure to the permeate or by varying pumping speed of the permeate.
The invention also provides a method of filtering solids from a liquid suspension comprising the steps of:
(i) providing a pressure differential across a wall of a permeable membrane having a liquid suspension being applied to a first side of the permeable membrane to induce and sustain filtration through the wall of the permeable membrane wherein:
(a) at least part of the liquid suspension passes through the wall of the permeable membrane to be drawn off as permeate from a second side of the permeable membrane; and
(b) at least some of the solids are retained on or in the permeable membrane or otherwise as suspended solids within the liquid surrounding the first side of the permeable membrane; and
(ii) periodically backwashing pores of the permeable membrane using permeate remaining on the second side of the permeable membrane after he suspension of the filtration process by applying variable pressure below bubble point of the permeable membrane to the permeate to displace at least some of the permeate from the second side of the permeable membrane through pores of the permeable membrane resulting in removal of the solids retained on or in the permeable membrane.
Variable pressure may be applied by applying gas at variable pressure to the permeate or by varying pumping speed of the permeate.
The invention also provides a method of backwashing a membrane filtration system comprising at least one permeable membrane, the method comprising the step of applying a pressurised gas at a variable pressure to permeate remaining present in the system when filtration process is stopped or suspended to provide liquid for backwashing pores of the permeable membrane during a backwashing process.
The invention also provides a method of filtering solids from a liquid suspension comprising the steps of:
(i) providing a pressure differential across a wall of a permeable membrane having a liquid suspension being applied to a first side of the permeable membrane to induce and sustain filtration through the wall of the permeable membrane wherein:
(a) at least part of the liquid suspension passes through the wall of the permeable membrane to be drawn off as permeate from a second side of the permeable membrane; and
(b) at least some of the solids are retained on or in the permeable membrane or otherwise as suspended solids within the liquid surrounding the first side of the permeable membrane; and
(ii) periodically backwashing pores of the permeable membrane using permeate remaining on the second side of the permeable membrane after he suspension of the filtration process by applying a gas at a variable pressure below bubble point of the permeable membrane to the permeate to displace at least some of the permeate from the second side of the permeable membrane through pores of the permeable membrane resulting in removal of the solids retained on or in the permeable membrane.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a backwash system for a filtration system according to one embodiment of the invention.



PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown one embodiment of a gas pushed liquid backwash system according the invention. The system comprises a filtration module 5 having hollow fibre membranes 6 supported by and extending generally vertically between upper and lower headers 7 and 8. The module 5 is positioned in a pressurised feed vessel 9. In this embodiment filtrate is withdrawn from both ends of the hollow fibres membranes 6 through upper and lower ports 10 and 11, however, it will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, filtrate may only be withdrawn from one end of the module. The upper and lower headers 7 and 8 are provided with respective filtrate collection chambers 14 and 13 connected to a filtrate removal line 12 via the upper and lower ports 10 and 11, respectively. The filtrate removal line 12 is controlled by valve AV2. Feed liquid is supplied through feed line 15 under the control of valve AV1. An upper backwash line 16 provides for depressurisation of the feed vessel 9 under control of valve AV3. Waste containing liquid is removed through waste removal line 17 under the control of valve AV4.
As shown in FIG. 1, backwash gas, typically air, is supplied through gas pressure regulator PRV3 and backwash gas control valve AV5. PRV3 is pilot controlled gas regulator connected via gas line 18 to a source of pressurised gas 19. The gas regulator PRV3 is sized to provide sufficient backwash gas flow at a maximum pressure set point. The gas regulator PRV3 accepts the pressure set point set by either gas regulator valve PRV1 or PRV2 via associated respective control valves SV1 and SV2, and gas control line 21. Gas regulator PRV1 is set to a low pressure ranging from about 70-120 kPa while gas regulator valve PRV2 is set to a high pressure ranging from about 150 to 250 kPa. Each gas regulator PRV1 and PRV2 is connected via gas lines 22 and 23 to a source of pressurised gas 20. It will be appreciated the sources of pressurised gas 19 and 20 may be the same source.
The various controllable valves employed in the system are controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) (not shown).
Before the liquid backwash is commenced, the PLC examines the measured membrane permeability and determines the backwash gas pressure required. If the membrane permeability is above a set value stored in the PLC, valve SV1 is opened and pilot controlled gas regulator PRV3 is set to a lower backwash gas pressure. If the membrane permeability is below a set value stored in the PLC, valve SV2 is opened and PRV3 is set to a higher backwash gas pressure. The backwash gas pressure can be any pressure between the upper and lower limits.
Alternatively, to strengthen the liquid backwash performance at high membrane permeability conditions, the liquid backwash can be set to alternate between high and low pressure backwash by alternating the gas pressure applied to the backwash liquid. For example, after one or several filtration cycles with low pressure backwash(es), one or several filtration cycles with high pressure backwash(es) are carried out. After the filtration cycle(s) with high pressure backwash(es) are completed, filtration cycles with low pressure backwash(es) resume.
Alternatively, the membrane filter resistance increase may be measured in the PLC and used to enable a high-pressure liquid backwash. When the filter resistance increase in a filtration cycle is higher than the preset value in the PLC, SV2 is activated during a backwash and high gas pressure is supplied to the system for a high-pressure liquid backwash.
In another operational variation, filter resistances at the beginning of a filtration cycle may be recorded by the PLC or other device and compared over several filtration cycles. If the net increase of filter resistance over a predetermined number of filtration cycles is larger than a set point stored in the PLC, the system will switch to provide a high-pressure liquid backwash. Once the net increase of filter resistance drops below a set point stored in the PLC, the system switches back to a low-pressure liquid backwash.
In the following example, the operation of a 6×120 module pressurized membrane plant was analysed. In this example, the plant cleaning interval was set to 35 days. The gas pressure for a liquid backwash was set to 100 kPa for the first 23 days of operation and 200 kPa for the last 12 days. Table 1 shows the comparison results.
From the comparison, it can be seen that, in this example, 21.8% of gas used for the gas pushed liquid backwash can be saved by alternating the liquid backwash pressure.
Although the present invention is specifically exemplified with respect to pressurised systems, it can be readily adapted for use in submerged systems. These are systems which involve the use of a liquid backwash rather than a gas backwash. The liquid backwash involves pushing clean (usually filtered) liquid back through the pores to dislodge foulant.
Liquid backwashes are typically either air pushed or pumped. An air pushed liquid backwash would be similar to the scheme shown in FIG. 1 with the exception that gas is used to force filtrate in a reverse direction. The upper and lower pressures and liquid backwash pressure are controlled by the corresponding gas pressures which are controlled in turn by the PLC.
A pumped backwash would also be able to be used to achieve a similar result. In that case, the filtrate is pumped directly back through the membrane to dislodge foulant. The upper and lower pressures and liquid backwash pressure are controlled by the speed of the pumps which are controlled in turn by the PLC.
The results obtained so far suggest that long term membrane performance will not be compromised by alternating the backwash pressure. By using the method of the present invention, long intervals (>30 days) between cleaning in place (CIP) events can be achieved.
It will be appreciated that further embodiments and exemplifications of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention described.










TABLE 1







Case 1
Case 2



Alternating
Constant



Liquid Back-
Backwash



wash Pressure
Pressure

















Number of modules
120


Number of Skids
6


Backwash interval (mins)
30


Number of backwashes per day per
40


module


Number of backwashes per day
240









Backwash pressure at low pressure (kPa)
100
0


Number of days of BW at low pressure
23
0


Backwash pressure at high pressure
200
200


(kPa)


Number of days of BW at high pressure
12
35


FAD air usage per backwash (L)
1194


(low pressure)


FAD air usage per day (m3)
286.6


(low pressure)


FAD air usage per day (m3)
1788
1788


(high pressure)


FAD air usage per day (m3)
429
429


(high pressure)


Total Air consumption per CDP cycle
11741
15020


(m3 FAD)


Number of CIP's per year
11
11


Yearly air consumption
129151
165222


Yearly FAD air saving (m3)
36071


Yearly FAD air saving (%)
21.8%

## Claims

1. A method of filtering solids from a liquid suspension in a filtration system comprising:
performing a filtration process including providing a pressure differential across a wall of a permeable hollow membrane to induce and sustain filtration through the wall of the permeable hollow membrane;
suspending the filtration process; and
periodically backwashing pores of the permeable hollow membrane using permeate remaining in the filtration system after suspending the filtration process, the backwashing of the pores dislodging fouling materials therefrom, the backwashing of the pores including:
measuring a characteristic of the permeable hollow membrane, the characteristic of the permeable hollow membrane being one of membrane permeability, membrane resistance, and an increase in membrane resistance over a filtration cycle;
making a determination of a gas pressure at which to apply backwash gas to the permeate remaining in the filtration system after suspending the filtration process, the determination made responsive to the measured characteristic of the permeable hollow membrane, the gas pressure being one of a high gas pressure below the bubble point of the permeable hollow membrane and a low gas pressure below the bubble point of the permeable hollow membrane, the low gas pressure being lower than the high gas pressure; and
applying the backwash gas at the determined gas pressure to the permeate remaining in the filtration system after suspending the filtration process.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the high gas pressure is used when membrane permeability is at or below a first predetermined value and the low gas pressure is used when membrane permeability is at or above a second predetermined value.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the high gas pressure is used when membrane resistance is at or above a first predetermined value and the low gas pressure is used when the membrane resistance is at or below a second predetermined value.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are different.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value are the same.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas pressure is continuously varied between the high gas pressure and the low gas pressure.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas pressure is alternated between the high gas pressure and the low gas pressure.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some solids are removed into bulk liquid surrounding the membranes during backwashing the pores of the permeable hollow membrane.

9. The method of claim 1, including a plurality of membrane modules in the filtration system.

10. The method of claim 1, including a plurality of hollow fibre membrane modules in the filtration system.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the filtration system is a pressurised membrane filtration system.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the filtration system is a submerged membrane filtration system.

13. A method of filtering solids from a liquid suspension in a filtration system comprising:
performing a filtration process including providing a pressure differential across a wall of a permeable hollow membrane to induce and sustain filtration through the wall of the permeable hollow membrane;
suspending the filtration process; and
periodically backwashing pores of the permeable hollow membrane using permeate remaining in the filtration system after suspending the filtration process, the backwashing of the pores including:
measuring a net increase in membrane resistance of the permeable hollow membrane over several filtration cycles;
making a determination of a gas pressure at which to apply backwash gas to the permeate remaining in the filtration system after suspending the filtration process, the determination made responsive to the measured net increase in membrane resistance of the permeable hollow membrane, the gas pressure being one of a high gas pressure below the bubble point of the permeable hollow membrane and a low gas pressure below the bubble point of the permeable hollow membrane, the low gas pressure being lower than the high gas pressure; and
applying the backwash gas at the determined gas pressure to the permeate remaining in the filtration system after suspending the filtration process.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the backwash gas is applied at the high gas pressure from a first gas regulator valve and the backwash gas is applied at the low gas pressure from a second gas regulator valve.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising alternating between applying the backwash gas at the high gas pressure to the permeate and applying the backwash gas at the low gas pressure to the permeate.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the backwash gas is applied to the permeate at the high gas pressure if the net increase in membrane resistance over the several filtration cycles is higher than a first set point and the backwash gas is applied to the permeate at the low gas pressure if the net increase in membrane resistance is below a second set point.