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Submerged Hollow Fiber Membrane Filtration
PURON® modules consist of bundles of long fibers that are hollow, like straws. These fibers have tiny pores of approximately 0.05 μm which act as a barrier to bacteria and suspended solids. PURON® submerged membrane technology differs from that used in other MBR systems in that there is no top header that can trap hair and other debris and cause clogging of the fibers. Instead the upper ends of the hollow fiber membranes move freely, with a seaweed-like action.
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Module Element |
Legend: (1) filter surface (2) braid (3) bacteria (4) suspended solids (5) filtrate removal |
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Fibers are sealed at the top. Filtrate is drawn through the membranes and flows down the inside of the fibers to the bottom header and is removed from the tank. Air bubbles rise from the center of the fiber bundle and scour the membrane surface to keep it free from a buildup of debris. |
The PURON® MBR module uses a single header design with hollow fibers that are fixed only at the bottom and can move freely along their entire length. The top ends of the fibers are sealed. Bundles of hollow fibers mounted vertically in modules are submerged into the activated sludge. By applying a slight negative pressure on the inside of the fiber, water is drawn under vacuum through the fiber wall from the outside to the inside. All filtered substances remain on the outside, like the coffee grounds on a coffee filter.
Compressed air creates bubbles that shake the membranes and scour the outside of the hollow fibers, removing accumulated debris. A unique feature of the PURON® module is the introduction of air in the center of the fiber bundle right where it is needed. This helps to avoid sludging and to reduce energy consumption. The process is further supported and flux maintained by introducing a small portion of the filtrate back through the fiber pores from the inside-out in intervals.
Optimized solids management
- Central air supply
- Single-header design
- Outside-to-inside filtration
- Braided backing for high-strength fibers
- Fiber backwashing during operation
Click here for a detailed description of the PURON® module.
See how it works. Click here to watch the video!
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