Hollow fiber membrane module and puller used therefor

Abstract

A hollow fiber membrane module ( 200 ) and a puller ( 300 ) used therefore is disclosed, wherein each individual hollow fiber membrane module can be easily pulled out from a filtering apparatus provided with a plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules if it is required to be replaced or repaired. At this time, the hollow fiber membrane module ( 200 ) comprises a hollow fiber membrane ( 220 ); and at least on header ( 210 ) to which the hollow fiber membrane is potted, wherein the header ( 210 ) includes a first lateral side to which the hollow fiber membrane is potted and a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side; and wherein an engaging plate ( 213 ) is formed at the second lateral side. Also, the puller ( 300 ) comprises a main body ( 310 ) and a hooking member ( 320 ), extending from an end of the main body, formed in a shape suitable for being caught in the engaging plate ( 213 ).

1 . A hollow fiber membrane module comprising:
 a hollow fiber membrane; and   at least one header to which the hollow fiber membrane is potted,   
       wherein the header includes a first lateral side to which the hollow fiber membrane is potted and a second lateral side opposite to the first lateral side, and 
       wherein an engaging plate is formed at the second lateral side. 
     
     
         2 . The hollow fiber membrane module of  claim 1 , wherein a pulling groove is formed at the second lateral side. 
     
     
         3 . The hollow fiber membrane module of  claim 2 , wherein the pulling groove comprises:
 a first groove which is open in a direction perpendicular to the second lateral side; and   a second groove which extends from the first groove to the inner part of the header in a direction parallel to the second lateral side,   
       wherein the engaging plate is a part of the second lateral side corresponding to the second groove. 
     
     
         4 . The hollow fiber membrane module of  claim 3 , wherein, when the hollow fiber membrane module is pulled with a puller including a hooking member, the hooking member is firstly inserted into the first groove, and is then moved toward a direction parallel to the second lateral side so that the hooking member is inserted into the second groove. 
     
     
         5 . The hollow fiber membrane module of  claim 3 , wherein at least a part of the first groove is positioned at the same height as the second groove in a longitudinal direction of the header. 
     
     
         6 . The hollow fiber membrane module of  claim 3 , wherein the entire first groove is positioned at a different height from the second groove in a longitudinal direction of the header. 
     
     
         7 . The hollow fiber membrane module of  claim 1 , wherein, when the hollow fiber membrane module is pulled with a puller including a hooking member, the hooking member is inserted into a gap between the second lateral side and the engaging plate. 
     
     
         8 . The hollow fiber membrane module of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging plate is formed at the center of the second lateral side. 
     
     
         9 . The hollow fiber membrane module of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of engaging plates are formed at the second lateral side. 
     
     
         10 . The hollow fiber membrane module of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of engaging plates include at least one pair of engaging plates which are symmetric to each other with respect to a central line of the second lateral side, the central line being parallel to a longitudinal direction of the header. 
     
     
         11 . The hollow fiber membrane module of  claim 1 , wherein, when the hollow fiber membrane module is submerged into a liquid substrate to be treated, the header is arranged in such a way that the longitudinal direction of the header is perpendicular to a surface of the liquid substrate. 
     
     
         12 . A puller for pulling out a hollow fiber membrane module from a frame structure, the hollow fiber membrane module including a header having a lateral side provided with an engaging plate, the puller comprising:
 a main body; and   a hooking member, extending from an end of the main body, formed in a shape suitable for being caught in the engaging plate.   
     
     
         13 . The puller of  claim 12 , wherein the main body is perpendicular to each hooking member. 
     
     
         14 . The puller of  claim 12 , further comprising a pulling-force transmitting member combined with the main body. 
     
     
         15 . The puller of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of handles connected with the pulling-force transmitting member so that pulling forces from different directions might be applied to the puller at the same time.