Liquid-filtration membrane and module, and method for making
A method is provided for sealing a first end of a plurality of liquid-filtration membranes, each having a hollow tubular shape. The method comprises: providing adhesive in a storage vessel; immersing the first ends of the liquid-filtration membranes into the adhesive up to a first length; applying a driver liquid above the adhesive, wherein the driver liquid is less dense than the adhesive, such that a weight of the driver liquid applies a force so as to drive adhesive into an interior of each liquid-filtration membrane up to a second length along the first ends, that is greater than the first length; removing at least some of the driver liquid; solidifying the adhesive; cutting the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes at a point that is between the first length and the second length such that the first ends of the liquid-filtration membranes are disconnected from one another.
1 . A method for sealing a first end of each of a plurality of liquid-filtration membranes, wherein the liquid-filtration membranes each have a hollow tubular shape, the method comprising:
providing a quantity of an adhesive in a storage vessel;
immersing the first ends of the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes into the adhesive up to a first length along the first ends;
applying a quantity of a driver liquid above the quantity of the adhesive in the storage vessel, wherein the driver liquid is less dense than the adhesive, such that a weight of the driver liquid applies a force on the adhesive so as to drive some of the adhesive into an interior of each of the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes up to a second length along the first ends, wherein the second length is greater than the first length;
removing at least some of the driver liquid from the storage vessel;
solidifying the adhesive; and
cutting the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes at a point that is between the first length and the second length such that the first ends of the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes are disconnected from one another.
2 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising removing the liquid-filtration membranes and the adhesive from the storage vessel after the solidifying step and before the cutting step.
3 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is an epoxy.
4 . A method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the driver liquid is a paraffin oil.
5 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the liquid-filtration membranes include a membrane wall defining the interior and a reinforcement member positioned in the interior.
6 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the liquid-filtration membranes include a membrane wall that is light transmissive and wherein the adhesive is of a colour that renders the adhesive in the interiors of the liquid-filtration membranes visible through the membrane wall from outside the liquid-filtration membranes.
7 . A method of claimed in claim 1 , wherein the driver liquid is non-adhesive.
8 . A method for making a membrane module for use in liquid filtration, the method comprising:
providing a quantity of an adhesive in a storage vessel;
immersing first ends of a plurality of liquid-filtration membranes into the adhesive up to a first length along the first ends;
applying a quantity of a driver liquid above the quantity of the adhesive in the storage vessel, wherein the driver liquid is less dense than the adhesive, such that a weight of the driver liquid applies a force on the adhesive so as to drive some of the adhesive into an interior of each of the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes up to a second length along the first ends, wherein the second length is greater than the first length;
removing at least some of the driver liquid from the storage vessel;
solidifying the adhesive;
cutting the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes at a point that is between the first length and the second length such that the first ends of the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes are disconnected from one another and are sealed so as to prevent liquid flow therethrough;
providing a support structure including a header; and
mounting a second end of each of the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes into the header so as to permit fluid communication between a permeate chamber defined at least in part by the header and the interiors of the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes.
9 . A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein, after the mounting step, the second ends of the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes are top ends of the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes, and
wherein the first ends of the plurality of liquid-filtration membranes are bottom ends of the plurality which are freely movable relative to one another.
10 . A method as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising removing the liquid-filtration membranes and the adhesive from the storage vessel after the solidifying step and before the cutting step.
11 . A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the adhesive is an epoxy.
12 . A method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the driver liquid is a paraffin oil.
13 . A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the liquid-filtration membranes include a membrane wall defining the interior and a reinforcement member positioned in the interior.
14 . A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the liquid-filtration membranes include a membrane wall that is light transmissive and wherein the adhesive is of a colour that renders the adhesive in the interiors of the liquid-filtration membranes visible through the membrane wall from outside the liquid-filtration membranes.
15 . A method of claimed in claim 8 , wherein the driver liquid is non-adhesive.