WO2017117625A1 - Solid liquid separation - Google Patents

Solid liquid separation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017117625A1
WO2017117625A1 PCT/AU2017/050003 AU2017050003W WO2017117625A1 WO 2017117625 A1 WO2017117625 A1 WO 2017117625A1 AU 2017050003 W AU2017050003 W AU 2017050003W WO 2017117625 A1 WO2017117625 A1 WO 2017117625A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
microfiltration
filtration assembly
drum
vacuum
substance
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2017/050003
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Gilbert Erskine
Craig Erskine
Scott Russell
Original Assignee
Coobowie Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2016900004A external-priority patent/AU2016900004A0/en
Application filed by Coobowie Pty Ltd filed Critical Coobowie Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2017117625A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017117625A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D33/00Filters with filtering elements which move during the filtering operation
    • B01D33/06Filters with filtering elements which move during the filtering operation with rotary cylindrical filtering surfaces, e.g. hollow drums
    • B01D33/073Filters with filtering elements which move during the filtering operation with rotary cylindrical filtering surfaces, e.g. hollow drums arranged for inward flow filtration
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D61/00Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
    • B01D61/14Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
    • B01D61/147Microfiltration
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D61/00Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
    • B01D61/14Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
    • B01D61/18Apparatus therefor
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D63/00Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
    • B01D63/16Rotary, reciprocated or vibrated modules
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D69/00Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
    • B01D69/02Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor characterised by their properties
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D2315/00Details relating to the membrane module operation
    • B01D2315/02Rotation or turning
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D2315/00Details relating to the membrane module operation
    • B01D2315/06Submerged-type; Immersion type
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D2325/00Details relating to properties of membranes
    • B01D2325/02Details relating to pores or porosity of the membranes
    • B01D2325/022Asymmetric membranes
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01DSEPARATION
    • B01D71/00Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by the material; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
    • B01D71/02Inorganic material
    • B01D71/022Metals

Abstract

A filtration assembly including a microfiltration vacuum drum; a bath into which the microfiltration drum is adapted to be at least partially submerged; wherein a microfiltration membrane is arranged to attach to the outer surface of the microfiltration drum; and wherein the bath is arranged to hold a liquid solid suspension.

Description

SOLID LIQUID SEPARATION
Technical Field
[0001 ] The present invention generally relates to a process for continuous, single-step, fine mechanical solid/liquid separation.
Background Art
[0002] Rotary Drum Vacuum filters (RDV) have been in use in a variety of industries for many years. RDVs are well suited to filter slurries and liquids with high solid content. All RDV's require a filter aid, often of diatomaceous earth or perlite to get filtration size levels down to the micron range. The filter aid is mixed with the slurry or high solid content liquid and applied to the screen of the RDV. Liquids in the slurry or high solid content liquid pass through the screen and solids stick to it. To improve the amount of liquid that passes through the screen, the solids on the screen are constantly removed, often through scraping with a knife. The removed solids, and any liquid remaining in the solids, are discarded or lost.
[0003] As the filter aids used with conventional RDV are clastogenic, there are health risks associated with people being around conventional RDV's. There is also significant wastage of dewatered solids due to spoilage and other the removal process.
[0004] Reference to cited material or information contained in the text should not be understood as a concession that the material or information was part of the common general knowledge or was known in Australia or any other country.
Summary of Invention
[0005] It is an object of this invention to provide to ameliorate, mitigate or overcome, at least one disadvantage of the prior art, or which will at least provide the public with a practical choice.
[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a filtration assembly including: a microfiltration vacuum drum;
a bath into which the microfiltration drum is adapted to be at least partially submerged; wherein a microfiltration membrane is arranged to attach to the outer surface of the microfiltration drum; and
wherein the bath is arranged to hold a liquid-solid suspension.
[0007] Preferably, the microfiltration drum includes a plurality of vacuum chambers.
[0008] Preferably, the microfiltration membrane comprises asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates.
[0009] Preferably, the microfiltration membrane has an open area of approximately 35% to 40%.
[001 0] Preferably, the microfiltration membrane comprises layers of various sized metallic particles.
[001 1 ] Preferably, the microfiltration membrane comprises sintered titanium powder. Alternatively, the microfiltration membrane is comprised of 316 stainless steel. In one example, the membrane is produced according to the methods widely available in the art. In one embodiment, the membrane is produced according to some of the methods described in WO 2008/064390 and WO 2008/064391 .
[001 2] Preferably, the microfiltration membrane comprises sub-micron apertures. [001 3] Preferably, the apertures are arranged as pores.
[0014] Preferably, the microfiltration membrane has a thickness selected from the group consisting of:
between 0.01 mm to 2000mm;
between 0.1 mm to 500mm;
between 1 mm to 50mm;
between 2mm and 10mm;
between 2mm and 8mm or 5mm.
[001 5] Preferably, the microfiltration membrane is a disk or flat sheet structure.
[001 6] Preferably, the microfiltration membrane is arranged as netting.
[001 7] Preferably, the filtration assembly is located within a sealed enclosure. [001 8] Preferably, the sealed enclosure includes a gas blanket arranged to reduce the presence of oxygen. Preferably, the gas blanket comprises an inert gas, such as nitrogen.
[001 9] Preferably, the microfiltration vacuum drum is arranged to pump the gas from the sealed enclosure.
[0020] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for separating solids and liquids in a substance using the filtration assembly, wherein a vacuum is created within the microfiltration vacuum drum causing suction into the microfiltration vacuum drum from the outer surface;
wherein the substance is applied to the outer surface of the microfiltration membrane; wherein the microfiltration vacuum drum rotates and is at least partially submerged in the substance in the bath; and
wherein the suction draws liquid within the substance into the microfiltration vacuum drum so that the liquid can be separated from the solids within the substance.
[0021 ] The invention described herein has application for the filtration of fluids. The invention can have application in one or more of the following industries mining, oil and gas, refining, light and heavy manufacturing, food and wine processing and manufacturing, water purification and management and agricultural industries.
[0022] In a third aspect, the invention comprises a method for producing a filtration assembly substantially as herein described with reference to examples.
[0023] In a forth aspect, the invention comprises a filtration assembly substantially as herein described with reference to examples.
[0024] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the ensuing description.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0025] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a filtration assembly of a first embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 2 is a plan view of a vacuum microfiltration drum used with a filtration assembly of Figure 1 .
[0026] In the drawings like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.
Description of Embodiments
[0027] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the invention according to the first embodiment is in the form of a filtration assembly 60 for separating solids and liquids in a substance 43. The assembly 60 includes a sump housing 64 including an inlet 1 that provides a substance that liquid and solid separation is to be performed on. The inlet 1 feeds the substance 43 into bath 42 that lies beneath a microfiltration vacuum drum 7.
[0028] The substance 43 is pumped from bath 42 through drum feed pump 3 and out ejection outlet 62 to spray the substance over the rotating microfiltration vacuum drum 7. In one embodiment the ejection outlet 62 is a manifold with a plurality of spray ejection means. In an alternative embodiment, the ejection outlet is a single spray ejection means on a sliding rail, the sliding rail being arranged to move the single spray ejection means back and forth along the microfiltration vacuum drum 7. The substance 43 forms a layer on the rotating microfiltration vacuum drum 7. The vacuum formed within the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 pulls the liquid within the substance 43 into the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 as filtrate liquid.
[0029] In one embodiment, the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 includes one vacuum/gas chamber. In an alternative embodiment the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 includes a plurality of vacuum/gas chambers.
[0030] The microfiltration vacuum drum 7 is coated with one or a number of asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates 49. In one embodiment, the asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates 49 are made of sintered metal, which can be any of a number of metal alloys. For each application the alloy can be selected to give the optimum product compatibility and longevity. Each plate sits upon and is sealed to one or a number of vacuum/gas chambers. As the drum turns, its chambers can be sequentially placed under vacuum, pressurized with inert gas or steam, and/or rinsed with water. The sequence is determined by the spinning drum and a rotary valve assembly like those utilized in standard rotary vacuum drum filters.
[0031 ] An upper level sensor 5 is located in an upper region of bath 42 and a lower level sensor 8 is located in a lower region of the bath 42. The level of the substance 43 in the bath 42 is controlled via upper level sensor 5 and lower level sensor 8 so that a portion of the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 is kept submerged during operation. If the substance rises above upper level sensor 5 it can either be pumped through drum feed pump 3 through ejection outlet 62 or out through bath drain valve 1 2.
[0032] The drum feed pump 3 is pumped with a centrifugal or positive displacement pump to near the top of the rotating microfiltration drum 7, where it is distributed over the length of it.
[0033] The filtrate liquid is passed through passageway 68 into vacuum receiver 20. The vacuum receiver 20 is heated with heater 21 and the filtrate liquid is pulled out with filtrate pump 25 out filtrate valve 31 . The flow rate of the filtrate liquid is monitored with filtrate flow meter 27.
[0034] A vacuum pump 26 is connected through to the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 to create the vacuum in the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 and pull the filtrate liquid into the vacuum receiver 20. Water produced by the vacuum pump 26 is discharged through vacuum pump valve 24.
[0035] Parameters of the vacuum created by the vacuum pump in the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 are measured with level transmitter 1 6, temperature transmitter 17 and pressure transmitter 18.
[0036] If it is desired for the filtrate liquid to be reinjected over the microfiltration vacuum drum 7, filtrate valve 31 can be closed pushing the filtrate liquid through return valve 30. From return valve 30, the filtrate liquid is passed back to ejection outlet 62. [0037] In one embodiment, the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 is located within a sealed enclosure 64 including a sump 66. A gas is injected into the sealed enclosure 64 through injection port 70. The gas creates a gas blanket within the sealed enclosure 64, minimizing the oxygen content in the sealed enclosure 64 and allowing for positive gas pressure to increase the pressure differential across asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates 49, thus increasing the filtration capacity.
[0038] A pressure reader and transmitter 2 extends from the sealed enclosure 64 to take pressure readings from inside the sealed enclosure 64. A pressure release valve 4 is attached to the sealed enclosure 64 to release pressure from within the sealed enclosure 64.
[0039] The base of the sealed enclosure 64 is arranged as a sump 66 to collect substance 43 or any other discharge. A high level sensor 6 is located in an upper region of sump 66 and a low level sensor 9 is located in a lower region of the sump 66. The level of the substance 43 or other discharge in the sump 66 is controlled via high level sensor 6 and low level sensor 9. When substance 43 or other discharge raises above high level sensor 6 sump discharge pump 19, pumps out the substance 43 or discharge through sludge discharge valve 23.
[0040] Gas is fed into the sealed enclosure via gas injection valve 28 and can be released via gas discharge valve 29.
[0041 ] With specific reference to Figure 2, the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 is illustrated. Vacuum pipes 53 suck filtration fluid inwardly along vacuum path 45 out of the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 into vacuum receiver 20. Gas injected into the sealed enclosure 64 is pulled out of the vacuum drum 7 with a pump along path 47 through gas discharge pipe 55. Gas discharge pipe directs the gas through either gas injection valve 28 or gas discharge valve 29.
[0042] Asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates 49 cover the microfiltration vacuum drum 7 to separate the fluid and solids in the substance 43. The asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates 49 are a sub-micron porous membrane. The asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates 49 are produced as a net shape to fit the diameter of the microfiltration vacuum drum 7. In one embodiment the asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates 49 have an open area of approximately 35% to 40%. The asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates 49 are made up of layers of various sized metallic particles.
[0043] In one embodiment the asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates 49 start with a layer of 20 microns on the substrate and finishes with a final metallic powder of less than 1 micron at 1 0 to 20 microns thick.
[0044] In one embodiment the substance 43 is a slurry. In another embodiment the substance 43 is a liquid with a high solid content. The substance 43 can be a main product, by-product or waste stream from any of a number of commercial or industrial processes, including but not limited to food and beverage, mining, water treatment and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
[0045] In one embodiment the substance 43 is rinsed with a liquor to extract imbibed solutes.
Variations and Modifications
[0046] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein.
[0047] Reference to positional descriptions, such as lower and upper, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.
[0048] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.
[0049] Also, future patent applications maybe filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of, or claiming priority from, the present application. It is to be understood that the following provisional claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the provisional claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 . A filtration assembly including:
a microfiltration vacuum drum;
a bath into which the microfiltration drum is adapted to be at least partially submerged;
wherein a microfiltration membrane is arranged to attach to the outer surface of the microfiltration drum; and
wherein the bath is arranged to hold a liquid-solid suspension.
2. The filtration assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the microfiltration drum includes a plurality of vacuum chambers.
3. The filtration assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the microfiltration membrane comprises asymmetric metallic microfiltration membrane plates.
4. The filtration assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the microfiltration membrane has an open area of approximately 35% to 40%.
5. The filtration assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the microfiltration membrane comprises layers of various sized metallic particles.
6. The filtration assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the microfiltration membrane comprises sintered titanium powder.
7. The filtration assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the microfiltration membrane comprises sub-micron pores.
8. The filtration assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filtration assembly is located within a sealed enclosure.
9. The filtration assembly as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the sealed enclosure includes a gas blanket arranged to reduce the presence of oxygen.
10. The filtration assembly as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the microfiltration vacuum drum is arranged to pump the gas from the sealed enclosure.
1 1 . A method for separating solids and liquids in a substance using the filtration assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein a vacuum is created within the microfiltration vacuum drum causing suction into the microfiltration vacuum drum from the outer surface;
wherein the substance is applied to the outer surface of the microfiltration membrane;
wherein the microfiltration vacuum drum rotates and is at least partially submerged in the substance in the bath; and
wherein the suction draws liquid within the substance into the microfiltration vacuum drum so that the liquid can be separated from the solids within the substance.
PCT/AU2017/050003 2016-01-04 2017-01-04 Solid liquid separation WO2017117625A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2016900004A AU2016900004A0 (en) 2016-01-04 Solid liquid separation
AU2016900004 2016-01-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017117625A1 true WO2017117625A1 (en) 2017-07-13

Family

ID=59273101

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2017/050003 WO2017117625A1 (en) 2016-01-04 2017-01-04 Solid liquid separation

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2017117625A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4535062A (en) * 1982-02-12 1985-08-13 Chemap Ag Apparatus for growing microorganisms
US6306307B1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2001-10-23 Fielding Chemical Technologies, Inc. Pervaporation apparatus and method
WO2008064391A1 (en) * 2006-11-29 2008-06-05 Steri-Flow Filtration Systems (Aust) Pty Ltd An apparatus and method of producing porous membranes
US20120055887A1 (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-08 Love Johnny Leon Filtration method with self-cleaning filter assembly

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4535062A (en) * 1982-02-12 1985-08-13 Chemap Ag Apparatus for growing microorganisms
US6306307B1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2001-10-23 Fielding Chemical Technologies, Inc. Pervaporation apparatus and method
WO2008064391A1 (en) * 2006-11-29 2008-06-05 Steri-Flow Filtration Systems (Aust) Pty Ltd An apparatus and method of producing porous membranes
US20120055887A1 (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-08 Love Johnny Leon Filtration method with self-cleaning filter assembly

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