Filtration apparatus

Abstract

A filtration apparatus for treating a fluid comprises a vessel, a first partition plate dividing the vessel into first and second chambers and defining a through hole, and a filtration module located within the second chamber and including a body section defining an outer diameter which is greater than the diameter of the through hole in the first partition plate. The apparatus further comprises a reducing connector having a first end secured to the body section of the filtration module and a second end sealed relative to the through hole in the first partition plate to permit communication between the filtration module and the first chamber. In a disclosed embodiment the apparatus includes a second partition plate such that the vessel is divided into first, second and third chambers, wherein the filtration module is mounted between the partition plates.

1 . A filtration apparatus for treating a fluid, comprising:
 a vessel;   a first partition plate defining a through hole;   a second partition plate, wherein the first and second partition plates divide the vessel into first, second and third chambers;   a filtration module located within the second chamber and including a body section defining an outer width which is greater than the width of the through hole in the first partition plate; and   a reducing connector having a first end secured to the body section of the filtration module and a second end sealed relative to the through hole in the first partition plate to permit communication between the filtration module and the first chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the reducing connector defines a permeate outlet of the filtration module. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the reducing connector comprises:
 a first portion for securing to the body section of the filtration module;   a second portion which defines a smaller width than the first portion and is sealed relative to the through hole; and   a tapered portion extending between the first and second portions.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the reducing connector superposes the through hole and is sealed relative to a surface of the first partition plate around the periphery of the through hole. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the reducing connector extends into the through hole in the first partition plate and is sealed relative to an internal surface of the through hole. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the reducing connector is secured to the first partition plate by a bolt which extends from one side of the first partition plate to engage the reducing connector on the opposite side of the first partition plate and clamp the reducing connector against the first partition plate. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the bolt defines an axial through bore such that when the bolt is connected with the reducing connector fluid communication through the through bore of the bolt is permitted, and fluid communication between the filtration module and the first chamber within the vessel is achieved via the through bore in the bolt. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the filtration module comprises an outer shroud, and the reducing connector is secured to the shroud. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the shroud comprises one or more ports to permit fluid communication between external and internal regions of the shroud. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second partition plate defines a through hole and an inlet of the filtration module is sealed relative to said through hole to permit communication between the filtration module and the third chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the through hole in the second partition plate defines a smaller width than the outer width of the filtration module. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , comprising a further reducing connector having a first end secured to the body section of the filtration module and a second end sealed relative to the through hole in the second partition plate. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , comprising a tubular member extending from the through hole in the second partition plate into the third chamber and providing communication between the third chamber and the filtration module. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one of:
 the tubular member defines an open end to facilitate communication of a fluid from the third chamber into the tubular member; and   the tubular member defines a port in an outer surface thereof to facilitate communication of gas from the third chamber and into the tubular member.   
     
     
         15 . A method for cleaning a filtration apparatus which includes a vessel with first, second and third chambers and a filtration module located within the second chamber, comprising:
 flowing a cleaning fluid into the third chamber;   flowing the cleaning fluid from the third chamber and into the filtration module;   flowing the cleaning fluid across the surface of a filtration membrane contained within the filtration module; and   flowing the fluid from the filtration module and into the second chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , comprising:
 flowing a backwash cleaning fluid from the first chamber and into the filtration module;   flowing the backwash cleaning fluid through the module; and   flowing the backwash fluid from the filtration module and into the second chamber.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , comprising passing a gas through the filtration module to scour the membrane. 
     
     
         18 . A method for manufacturing a filtration apparatus, comprising:
 securing a filtration module relative to a partition plate, wherein the partition plate defines a through hole which is smaller than the width of a body portion of the filtration module; and   mounting the partition plate within a vessel.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , comprising:
 securing the filtration module relative to a second partition plate, wherein the second partition plate defines a through hole which is smaller than the width of the body portion of the filtration module; and   mounting the second partition plate within the vessel.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the partition plates is mounted within the vessel before, during or after the filtration module is secured to said at least one of the partition plates.