Manifold system for filtration modules

Abstract

A modular membrane filtration system ( 5 ) includes a number of banks ( 6 ) of membrane modules ( 7 ). Each module ( 7 ) includes upper and lower modular manifolds ( 8 ) and ( 9 ), respectively which are connected to one another to form upper and lower common manifolds ( 10 ) and ( 11 ) for each bank ( 6 ). The upper and lower manifolds ( 8 ) and ( 9 ) are used for delivery of feed and removal of filtrate and waste liquid from the modules ( 7 ). A gas feed manifold ( 12 ) runs along the top of the module banks ( 6 ) and feeds gas to lower gas manifold ( 13 ) through drop lines ( 14 ). A further manifold ( 15 ) runs in parallel with the common upper and lower manifolds ( 10 ) and ( 11 ) and is connected thereto at connections points ( 16 ) between the manifold banks ( 6 ).

1 . A manifold arrangement for a membrane filtration system comprising:
 a plurality of membrane modules coupled together, wherein each module is provided with a modular manifold fluidly connected with like modular manifolds on adjacent modules to form a common manifold; and   a further manifold fluidly connected to said common manifold at one or more connection points to provide a further flow path for fluid flow within the filtration system.   
   
   
       2 . A manifold arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein said modules are formed in a plurality of banks and connections points are located at connections between common manifolds of each bank. 
   
   
       3 . A manifold arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the fluid flowed through said manifold includes one or more of the following: feed liquid, filtrate, gas, waste liquid, cleaning liquid. 
   
   
       4 . A membrane filtration system including a manifold arrangement according to  claim 1 .