APPARATUS FOR SEMI-CONTINUOUS SEPARATION OF A SUSPENSION

Abstract: Device for semi-continuous separation of solid material and liquid from a suspension, with means (5, 6, 7) for supplying suspension to at least one separating member (3) and means (8, 9, 12) for discharging liquid and solid material from the separating member (3), characterized in that the separating member (3) has a supply chamber connectable to the supply means (5, 6, 7) and, separated therefrom by a membrane (13), a discharge chamber connectable to the discharge means (8, 9, 12), and that the supply means (5, 6, 7) and the discharge means (8, 9, 12) are connected successively to sequentially placed separating members (3).

Description: APPARATUS FOR SEMI-CONTINUOUS SEPARATION OF A SUSPENSION The invention relates to a device for semi- continuous separation of solid material and liquid from a suspension, with means for supplying suspension to at least one separating member and means for discharging liquid and solid material from the separating member. Continuous and semi-continuous separating devices are known which are constructed from a plurality of separating members. EP-A-0 170 349 for instance relates to a separating device consisting of separating members deployed in a desired sequence which are displaceable relative to fixed supply means and discharge means. The displaceable separating members are connected successively to these supply and discharge means, this such that in continuous manner suspension for treating is supplied and liquid is discharged. The suspension for separating is placed in contact in the separating member with suitable material for realizing the desired separation. After a period of time this material must be regenerated or replaced. This makes the method and device complicated. The invention has for its object to provide a relatively simple separating device. This is achieved according to the invention in that the separating member has a supply chamber connectable to the supply means and, separated therefrom by a membrane, a discharge chamber connectable to the discharge means, and that the supply means and the discharge means are connected successively to sequentially placed separating members. A considerable simplification is obtained by using a membrane as filter or separating element. On the discharge side the separated liquid is drained, while the solid parts of the suspension remain behind on the membrane. It is possible to perform the separating process in a plurality of steps. For this purpose the liquid separated out in a separating member can be fed to a subsequent separating member where, depending on the membrane used, another component can be separated. In order to effect this, the discharge means connected to a separating member can be connectable to the " supply means of a subsequent separating member. The separating members can be arranged in a desired sequence on a turntable rotatable relative to the supply and discharge means. For regeneration of a separating member the discharge means can be connectable to supply means for regenerating liquid, wherein the supply means of the separating member are connectable to discharge means for regenerating liquid. Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of a description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the annexed drawing, in which: fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a first preferred embodiment thereof; fig. 2 shows a view in perspective of the preferred embodiment of fig. 1; fig. 3 shows a partly cut-away view in perspective of a component of the device shown in fig. 1 and 2; fig. 4 shows a diagram of possible applications of inter alia the device shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3; and fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a further preferred embodiment of a device according to the present invention. On a turntable 1 (fig. 1, 2) are placed a plurality of separating members, for instance 2, 3. The fluid for separating, which includes solid materials, is supplied from a reservoir 4 via conduits 5 to a valve system. Conduits 7 run from valve system 6 to the different separating members. By means of valve system 6 it is possible to connect a desired one of the conduits 5 to a desired one of the conduits 7. Turntable 1 with separating members 2 , 3 ... is rotatable round a vertically disposed shaft. The discharge side of the separating members is connected via conduits 8 to the valve system 9. Collec- tion reservoirs 10, 11 ... connect onto valve system 9 via " conduits 12. According to the invention a membrane is arranged in each of the separating members 2 , 3 ... , for instance membrane 13 in separating member 3. Fluid for separating is supplied from a reservoir 4, conduits 5, valve system 6 and conduits 7 to the separating members 2, 3. Depending on the membrane, particular solid components are not allowed through, while the liquid and other solid components are allowed through. Separation therefore takes place. The liquid and components which have been allowed through are fed to collection reservoirs 10, 11 via the conduit system 8, the valve system 9. It is however also possible to return the liquid and components which have passed through to the supply conduits 7 of separating members 2, 3 ... via feedback lines 14 in order to obtain a sequential process. Regenerating liquid is supplied for regeneration of the separating members. This can take place both in the normal flow direction and in counterflow. A part of the rotation of the turntable is reserved for regeneration. It is noted that for microfiltration and ultrafiltration, wherein use is made of membrane separating techniques, only a feed reservoir, a concentrate reservoir and a cleaning/regeneration reservoir are in fact required. Use can optionally be made of an additional reservoir with clean water. In practice therefore, the number of reservoirs 4, 10, 11 ... will be smaller than shown in fig. 1. An example of a membrane filter 13 (fig. 3) , which can be arranged horizontally as well as vertically, comprises a feed inlet 31, an outlet 32 for so-called retentate, in addition to discharges 33 respectively 34 extending substantially transversely of the inlet and outlet and usable as required for discharge of so-called permeate, for instance at least slightly filtered water. Extending in longitudinal direction between inlet and outlet is a large plurality of pipes with semi-permeable wall, whereby filtering action is obtained at a determined drop in pressure. In the diagram according to fig. 4 a supply reservoir 41 is connected via a pump to an upper distributing device 43 and to a lower distributing device 44. In addition, a reservoir 46 for regenerant R (or cleaning agent) is likewise connected to the upper distributing device 43. At flag 47 is indicated that regenerant material is carried back to reservoir 46 from the lower distributing device 44. A reservoir 48 for concentrate C, such as dirty water concentrated by evaporation, is likewise connected to lower distributing device 44. Arranged between the upper and lower distributing device 43 and 44 is a plurality of membrane separators 49 provided with a permeate discharge P. It is further possible via this permeate connection P to generate a so-called permeate back-pulse from permeate reservoir 50 via pump 51 and conduit 52, in which a closing valve 53 is accommodated for brief cleaning of a membrane filter. A possible method of operation is so-called revolver operation, i.e. different feed flows can be processed in parallel or shortly after one another. It is likewise possible for the feed flow F to be connected through in serial manner to a following membrane module. It is also possible to apply flow and reverse flow adjacently to one another. If the feed flow permits, and taking the contamination into account, so-called dead end filtration is likewise possible. A permeate discharge port can herein be omitted and cleaning of the filter can be carried out for instance in a subsequent step. Shown schematically in the preferred embodiment of fig. 5 are three stationary tanks 55, 56 and 57 which are supplied via filling heads, for instance 58 and 59 for tank 57, with hoses 60, 61 respectively which are preferably windable round the drive shaft. The filling hea ~ ds, which are arranged in each case in pairs, are rotated in steps so that different feed flows are supplied and discharged each time. After 360° the filling heads with feed hoses are reversed through a full stroke, whereafter the process can be repeated. Possible applications of the present invention relate to waste water treatment, water for agricultural purposes/substrate circulation, biological separation, oil/sludge/water separating, the paint industry (water- based) and the graphic industry. The rights applied for are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Device for semi-continuous separation of solid material and liquid from a suspension, with means for supplying suspension to at least one separating member and means for discharging liquid and solid material from the separating member, characterized in that the separating member has a supply chamber connectable to the supply " means and, separated therefrom by a membrane, a discharge chamber connectable to the discharge means, and that the supply means and the discharge means are connected successively to sequentially placed separating members. 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the separating members are displaceable relative to the supply means and the discharge means. 3. Device as claimed in claims 1-2, characterized in that the separating members are arranged on a rotatable turntable. 4. Device as claimed in claims 1-3, characterized in that the discharge means connected to a separating member are connectable to the supply means of a subsequent separating member. 5. Device as claimed in claims 1-4, characterized in that discharge means are connectable to supply means for regenerating liquid and the supply means are connectable to discharge means for regenerating liquid.

Inventors: PRINSSEN ALPHONS ARNOLDUS JOHA, PRINSSEN, ALPHONS, ARNOLDUS, JOHANNES, ANTONIUS
Applicants: PANNEVIS BV, PRINSSEN ALPHONS ARNOLDUS JOHA, PANNEVIS B.V., PRINSSEN, ALPHONS, ARNOLDUS, JOHANNES, ANTONIUS
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B01D61
IPC codes: B01D61, B01D63