Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus for using membranes for separating liquids from a liquid fermentation suspension in a fermenter, comprising membrane filter means including a device for a suspension inflow and a device for an outflow of retained substance on one side of said membrane filter means, conduit means for discharging liquid permeate on the other side of said membrane filter means, a closed collecting container for liquid permeate connected to said permeate discharge conduit means, outflow conduit means connected to said closed collecting container for removing liquid permeate from said closed collecting container, level control means connected to said closed collecting container, a conveying pump, a jet pump, and conduit means connecting said closed collecting container with said conveying pump and said conveying pump with said jet pump, said permeate discharging conduit means being connected to said jet pump, said conduit means comprising a conduit section connecting said jet pump to said closed collecting container for forming a completely closed liquid permeate circulating circuit in which liquid permeate is supplied as a drive medium to said jet pump by said conveying pump, said apparatus further comprising a back rinsing conduit (20) having one end connected to said permeate discharging conduit means (9), a first three-way valve (19) connected between said conveying pump, said jet pump, and to the other end of said back rinsing conduit (20), and a second three-way valve (21) for connecting said retained substance outflow device to said fermenter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
240 words
An apparatus for using membranes for separating liquids from a liquid fermentation suspension in a fermenter, comprising membrane filter means including a device for a suspension inflow and a device for an outflow of retained substance on one side of said membrane filter means, conduit means for discharging liquid permeate on the other side of said membrane filter means, a closed collecting container for liquid permeate connected to said permeate discharge conduit means, outflow conduit means connected to said closed collecting container for removing liquid permeate from said closed collecting container, level control means connected to said closed collecting container, a conveying pump, a jet pump, and conduit means connecting said closed collecting container with said conveying pump and said conveying pump with said jet pump, said permeate discharging conduit means being connected to said jet pump, said conduit means comprising a conduit section connecting said jet pump to said closed collecting container for forming a completely closed liquid permeate circulating circuit in which liquid permeate is supplied as a drive medium to said jet pump by said conveying pump, said apparatus further comprising a back rinsing conduit (20) having one end connected to said permeate discharging conduit means (9), a first three-way valve (19) connected between said conveying pump, said jet pump, and to the other end of said back rinsing conduit (20), and a second three-way valve (21) for connecting said retained substance outflow device to said fermenter.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
267 words
An apparatus for filtering a liquid suspension containing pressure sensitive substances to be retained, comprising a membrane filter, a filter chamber divided by said membrane filter into a retention space (6a) and into a permeate space (6b), means for the supply of the liquid suspension into said retention space, means for removing the retained substance from said retention space, means for removing liquid permeate from said permeate space (6b), a closed collecting container (12) for collecting liquid permeate, first conduit means (9, 11d) connecting said closed collecting container (12) to said permeate space (6b), permeate discharge means (16, 17, 18) for removing liquid permeate from said closed collecting container (12), level control means cooperating with said closed collecting container for liquid permeate, closed circuit second conduit means (11a, 11b, 11c) connected to said closed collecting container (12), a conveying pump (13) connected in said closed circuit second conduit means, a jet pump (10) connected in said closed circuit second conduit means in such a position that said conveying pump (13) supplies liquid permeate to said jet pump (10) as a drive medium, said jet pump being also connected to said first conduit means (9, 11d) for providing a reduced pressure in said permeate space (6b) and for forming a completely closed liquid permeate circulation circuit out of said closed collecting container and back into said closed collecting container, and a cooling device (14) in said closed circuit second conduit means between said conveying pump means (13) and said jet pump (10) for preventing an evaporation of said liquid permeate in said completely closed liquid permeate circulation circuit.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
267 words
An apparatus for filtering a liquid suspension containing pressure sensitive substances to be retained, comprising a membrane filter, a filter chamber divided by said membrane filter into a retention space (6a) and into a permeate space (6b), means for the supply of the liquid suspension into said retention space, means for removing the retained substance from said retention space, means for removing liquid permeate from said permeate space (6b), a closed collecting container (12) for collecting liquid permeate, first conduit means (9, 11d) connecting said closed collecting container (12) to said permeate space (6b), permeate discharge means (16, 17, 18) for removing liquid permeate from said closed collecting container (12), level control means cooperating with said closed collecting container for liquid permeate, closed circuit second conduit means (11a, 11b, 11c) connected to said closed collecting container (12), a conveying pump (13) connected in said closed circuit second conduit means, a jet pump (10) connected in said closed circuit second conduit means in such a position that said conveying pump (13) supplies liquid permeate to said jet pump (10) as a drive medium, said jet pump being also connected to said first conduit means (9, 11d) for providing a reduced pressure in said permeate space (6b) and for forming a completely closed liquid permeate circulation circuit out of said closed collecting container and back into said closed collecting container, and a cooling device (14) in said closed circuit second conduit means between said conveying pump means (13) and said jet pump (10) for preventing an evaporation of said liquid permeate in said completely closed liquid permeate circulation circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cooling device (14) is constructed as a heat exchanger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a three-way valve (19) between said conveying pump (13) and said jet pump (10) in said closed circulation circuit, a back rinsing conduit (20) leading from said three-way valve (19) into said first conduit means upstream of said jet pump (10).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a retained substance discharge conduit (8), a supply container or a fermenter (1) for said liquid suspension, and valve means (21) for connecting said retained substance discharge conduit (8) to said supply container or fermenter (1).