Aeration Device for Filtration System

Abstract

An aeration device configured to be fitted to a membrane filtration module having membranes mounted therein. The aeration device comprises a sleeve configured to at least partially surround the membrane filtration module. The sleeve has one end adapted to engage with the membrane filtration module and another end adapted to engage with a filtrate collection conduit or manifold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of facilitating treating water in an aeration device configured to be fitted to a membrane filtration module having membranes mounted therein, comprising:
 installing a sleeve configured to at least partially surround the membrane filtration module, the sleeve having one end adapted to engage with the membrane filtration module and another end adapted to engage with a filtrate collection conduit or manifold, the sleeve comprising:
 an outer wall and an inner wall spaced therefrom, the inner wall and the outer wall downwardly extending co-axially from a joining portion, the outer wall and the inner wall defining a chamber therebetween having an open lower end at a distal end of the inner wall and a closed upper end at the joining portion where the inner wall and the outer wall of the sleeve are joined; 
 a gas inlet configured to communicate gas from a source of gas to the chamber; 
 one or more aeration openings defined in the inner wall of the sleeve and configured to provide fluid communication between the chamber and the membranes of the membrane filtration module; and 
 one or more drain openings defined in the outer wall of the sleeve and configured to provide fluid communication between the membranes of the membrane filtration module and an outside of the sleeve. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the aeration device is engaged to the filtrate collection conduit or manifold by a threading engagement between complimentary screw threads provided on the respective filtrate collection conduit or manifold and the one end of the outer wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the inner wall extends downwardly part way along a length of the outer wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a first set of portions of the inner wall extend downwardly along the length of the outer wall of the sleeve to a greater extent than a second set of portions of the inner wall extend downwardly along the length of the outer wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first set of portions of the inner wall extend downwardly along the length of the outer wall and terminate below an upper extent of the one or more drain openings. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the second set of portions of the inner wall extend downwardly along the length of the outer wall and terminate above the upper extent of the one or more drain openings. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of aeration openings are provided in the inner wall of the sleeve, the aeration openings being circumferentially spaced from one another around the periphery of the inner wall of the sleeve. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein a first set of the plurality of aeration openings have lower ends disposed below an upper extent of the one or more drain openings. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein a second set of the plurality of aeration openings have lower ends disposed above an upper extent of the one or more drain openings. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of aeration openings are formed as vertically extending slots. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the slots are open at their lower ends and taper inwardly towards upper closed ends of the slots. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the taper is stepped with an initial taper along part of a lower portion of the slot then an inward step of reduced width and a further taper from the step to the upper end of the slot. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the gas inlet is provided at the joining portion of the sleeve. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more drain openings include a plurality of circumferentially spaced drain openings defined in the outer wall of the sleeve.