US4741823A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow control manifold for cross-flow membrane system
Assignee: Veolia WTS Solutions USA Inc
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Filing: 1986-12-23
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Granted: 1988-05-03
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Expires: 2006-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A cross flow membrane system for separating feed water into a concentrate stream and a permeate stream which includes a cross-flow membrane module, a pump for pressurizing feed water for supply to the module and a flow control manifold block having a permeate, a concentrate bore and a concentrate orifice for controlling the flow of concentrate from the system and the operating pressure within the cross-flow membrane module. The manifold block simplifies the manufacture, operation and maintenance of the system and allows elimination of many of the tubes, hoses and valves which are commonly required in prior art systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas L. Olsen
- 👤 Paul D. Osmundson
- 👤 Keith G. McLaughlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:51
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D61/00; B01D61/02; B01D61/12; B01D61/10; B01D65/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A cross-flow membrane system for separating feed water into a concentrate stream and a permeate stream comprising: at least one cross-flow membrane module having a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet; a flow control manifold block including an elongated feed water bore having a feed water inlet port and a feed water outlet port, an elongated permeate bore having at least one permeate inlet port and a permeate outlet port, an elongated concentrate bore having at least one concentrate inlet port and a concentrate outlet port, a selectively replaceable concentrate pressure control orifice means positioned between said concentrate inlet port and said concentrate outlet for controlling the flow of concentrate from the system and the operating pressure within said module, and a selectively replaceable recycle orifice means connecting said concentrate bore and said feed water bore for controlling the flow of concentrate from said concentrate bore to said feed water bore for recycle, said recycle orifice means being in communication with said concentrate bore at a point upstream from said concentrate pressure control orifice; means positioned between said feed water outlet port and said cross-flow membrane module for increasing the pressure of said feed water for supply to said membrane module; conduit means connecting the permeate outlet from said module to said one permeate inlet port; and conduit means connecting the concentrate outlet from said module to said one concentrate inlet port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A cross-flow membrane system for separating feed water into a concentrate stream and a permeate stream comprising: at least one cross-flow membrane module having a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet; a flow control manifold block including an elongated feed water bore having a feed water inlet port and a feed water outlet port, an elongated permeate bore having at least one permeate inlet port and a permeate outlet port, an elongated concentrate bore having at least one concentrate inlet port and a concentrate outlet port, a selectively replaceable concentrate pressure control orifice means positioned between said concentrate inlet port and said concentrate outlet for controlling the flow of concentrate from the system and the operating pressure within said module, and a selectively replaceable recycle orifice means connecting said concentrate bore and said feed water bore for controlling the flow of concentrate from said concentrate bore to said feed water bore for recycle, said recycle orifice means being in communication with said concentrate bore at a point upstream from said concentrate pressure control orifice; means positioned between said feed water outlet port and said cross-flow membrane module for increasing the pressure of said feed water for supply to said membrane module; conduit means connecting the permeate outlet from said module to said one permeate inlet port; and conduit means connecting the concentrate outlet from said module to said one concentrate inlet port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said concentrate orifice means includes a preset concentrate orifice.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said recycle orifice means includes a preset recycle orifice.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said concentrate orifice means includes a preset concentrate orifice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said elongated permeate bore, said elongated concentrate bore and said elongated feed water bore are disposed generally parallel to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said elongated permeate bore and said elongated concentrate bore are disposed on opposite sides of said elongated feed water bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said concentrate orifice means includes an elongated member having a pair of spaced, externally threaded portions, a central portion connecting said spaced threaded portions, a hollowed out interior portion opening to an end of said elongated member and at least one orifice extending through said central portion and in communication with said hollowed out interior portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 7 including a first pair of internally threaded portions on opposite sides of said concentrate bore for receiving the externally threaded portions of said concentrate orifice means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said concentrate bore includes a first bore portion in communication with said one orifice and a second bore portion in communication with said hollowed out interior portion of said concentrate orfice means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said first and second bore portions are generally parallel to one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said recycle orifice means includes an elongated member having a pair of spaced, externally threaded portions, a central portion connecting said spaced threaded portions, a hollowed out interior portion opening to an end of said elongated member and at least one orifice extending through said central portion and in communication with said hollowed out interior portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 11 including a second pair of internally threaded portions on opposite sides of said concentrate bore for receiving the externally threaded portions of said recycle orifice means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said permeate outlet port and said concentrate outlet port comprise permeate outlet bores and concentrate outlet bores, respectively, extending through said manifold block in a direction generally orthogonal to said permeate bore and said concentrate bore respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 including a feed water inlet bore extending through said manifold block in a direction generally orthogonal to said feed water bore.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 14 including conduit means connecting said feed water inlet bore with said feed water inlet port.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said feed water bore and said permeate bore include an access opening for a monitor probe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said manifold block is a generally rectanagular shaped, solid block.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said cross-flow membrane system is a reverse osmosis system and said module is a reverse osmosis membrane module.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
188 words
A flow control manifold block for use in a cross-flow membrane system for separating feed water into a concentrate stream and a permeate stream, said system having a cross-flow membrane module and means for increasing the pressure of said feed water for supply to said membrane module, said manifold block comprising: an elongated feed water bore having a feed water inlet port and a feed water outlet port, an elongated permeate bore having at least one permeate inlet port and a permeate outlet port; an elongated concentrate bore having at least one concentrate inlet port and a concentrate outlet port; a selectively replaceable concentrate pressure control orifice means positioned between said concentrate inlet port and said concentrate outlet for controlling the flow of concentrate from the system and the operating pressure within said system; and a selectively replaceable recycle orifice means connecting said concentrate bore and said feed water bore for controlling the flow of concentrate from said concentrate bore to said feed water bore for recycle, said recycle orifice means being in communication with said concentrate bore at a point upstream from said concentrate pressure control orifice.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
188 words
A flow control manifold block for use in a cross-flow membrane system for separating feed water into a concentrate stream and a permeate stream, said system having a cross-flow membrane module and means for increasing the pressure of said feed water for supply to said membrane module, said manifold block comprising: an elongated feed water bore having a feed water inlet port and a feed water outlet port, an elongated permeate bore having at least one permeate inlet port and a permeate outlet port; an elongated concentrate bore having at least one concentrate inlet port and a concentrate outlet port; a selectively replaceable concentrate pressure control orifice means positioned between said concentrate inlet port and said concentrate outlet for controlling the flow of concentrate from the system and the operating pressure within said system; and a selectively replaceable recycle orifice means connecting said concentrate bore and said feed water bore for controlling the flow of concentrate from said concentrate bore to said feed water bore for recycle, said recycle orifice means being in communication with said concentrate bore at a point upstream from said concentrate pressure control orifice.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flow control manifold block of claim 19 wherein said cross-flow membrane system is a reverse osmosis system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-03 | 1991-11-02 | 1992-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-03 | 1995-11-02 | 1996-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-03 | 1999-11-02 | 2000-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |