bioTRIPURE™ Hollow Fiber Ultrafiltration Systems

The bioTRIPURE™ Hollow Fiber Membrane Systems are fully-automated PLC controlled Membrane systems furnished with AquaFlex™ membrane modules. The bioTRIPURE™ Ultrafilter membrane systems produce an extremely high quality product for drinking water and water reuse applications.

The bioTRIPURE™ systems feature inside-out technology to eliminate contaminate build up within the module. The hollow fiber Ultrafiltration membranes have one of the lowest Molecular Weight Cut Off (MWCO) values along with the lowest Trans Membrane Pressures (TMP) in the industry. The low TMP requirement reduces energy consumption providing low life cycle cost while the low MWCO ensures high quality permeate.

How the bioTRIPURE™ UF Process Works

The AquaFlex™ Modules within the bioTRIPURE™ UF Systems operate using inside-out membrane technology. The definition of inside-out technology means the feed passes along the inside of the lumen and through the membrane wall as purified water. This approach minimizes dead space and the potential of solid build up in the modules. The polyethersulfone (PES) membrane wall acts as a physical barrier for all particles and molecular structures larger than 0.03 microns. This ultrafilter pore rating will provide for a six log rejection of bacteria, germ and large organic molecules and a four log rejection and removal of viruses. The end result of the membrane process is purified water or UF permeate with turbidity levels of less than 0.1 NTU. Silt Density Index (SDI) levels of <3 can be achieved.

Each membrane module contains approximately fifteen thousand 0.8 mm diameter hollow fiber lumens which are bundled into sections separated by six corrugated plates contained within a 9.5" diameter thermoplastic housing. The bundled lumens are centrifugally potted using polyurethane, providing complete and permanent sealing of the membrane module without wicking, thus achieving highest level of membrane integrity. High density of tight membrane pores provide very high efficiency rates.

The high productivity rates are maintained using hydraulic flushes and chemically enhanced backwashes. All system functions are fully automated to maximize product recovery rates and minimize operator attention.

 

Process Description

The bioTRIPURE™ System is a fully automated PLC controlled UF system where feed water is pumped through a 100 micron prefilter screen and directed into the influent feed manifold of the UF System. The feed water is directed to each membrane module operating in a parallel configuration. The feed is directed to the top of each membranes module and processed using gravity for enhanced productivity. The bioTRIPURE™ System is operated in either a dead-head mode or an internally recirculated semi-dead head mode for maximum product recovery. Water passes through the membrane wall from the inside-out and exists the membrane modules as purified water via a permeate discharge manifold. The solids and organics retained by the membranes are then concentrated within the hollow fibers of the membrane modules. The membranes undergo an automated hydraulic flush mode every 20 – 30 minutes based on the feed water characteristics. The membranes are cleansed every 12 – 24 hours based on feed stream characteristics using a combination of sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide followed by acid to reduce the system TMP and maintain membrane flux.