Methods for treating membranes and separation facilities and membrane treatment composition
A method for treating a separation facility is provided according to the invention. The separation facility includes a plurality of membranes for providing separation of a feed product. The method includes steps of providing liquid flow through a plurality of membranes; treating the plurality of membranes with a multiple phase treatment composition comprising a gaseous phase and a liquid phase at a volumetric ratio of the gaseous phase to the liquid phase of at least about 5:1; and providing a liquid flow through the plurality of membranes.
1. A method for cleaning a filtration system comprising:
(a) removing liquid product from the filtration system and recovering at least a part of the liquid product:
(b) flooding the filtration system with a first aqueous media to remove at least a portion of solids in the filtration system;
(c) flushing the filtration system with a gaseous media to remove at least a portion of the first aqueous media;
(d) treating the filtration system with a multiple phase treatment composition comprising a gaseous phase and a liquid phase;
(e) soaking the filtration system for at least about 1 minute following the step of treating the filtration system with a multiple phase treatment composition;
(f) flooding the filtration system with a second aqueous media; and
(g) rinsing the filtration system.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid product comprises a food product.
3. A process according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid product comprises a dairy product.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the filtration system comprises a spiral wound membrane.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of removing liquid product comprises displacing the liquid product with water.
6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first aqueous media comprises water.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first aqueous media comprises an alkaline solution having a pH of between about 8 and about 13.
8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of flooding the filtration system with a first aqueous media comprises circulating the first aqueous media within the filtration system for at least about 10 minutes.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of flushing the filtration system with a gaseous media comprises flushing for less than about 5 minutes.
10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of treating with a multiple phase treatment composition comprises applying the multiple phase treatment composition for at least about 3 minutes.
11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of flooding the filtration system with a second aqueous media comprises recirculating the second aqueous media for between about 5 minutes and about 15 minutes.
12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the second aqueous media comprises water having a temperature of between about 100° F. and about 120° F.