Patents Assigned to Koch Membrane Systems
  • Publication number: 20180221826
    Abstract: A membrane filter module configured to treat a liquid contained in a tank at an ambient pressure. The module may have a header, with a bundle containing a plurality of substantially vertical hollow fiber membranes, wherein a lower end of each hollow fiber membrane is fixed in the header. The module may also have a gasification device adapted to periodically generate a gaseous bubble and configured to release the gaseous bubble within the bundle. The module may further have an enclosure that substantially surrounds the bundle that extends from a lower region to an upper region of the membrane bundle, wherein the enclosure is configured to retain the liquid introduced into the enclosure such that the liquid surrounds the membrane bundle. The gaseous bubble has a cross-sectional area that corresponds with a cross-sectional area of the enclosure, such that the cross-sectional area of the gaseous bubble occupies substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the enclosure as it flows along the bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylour Johnson, David M. Colby, Manwinder Singh
  • Patent number: 9968888
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of sealing the free end of a hollow fiber membrane for use in a single header filtration module by dipping the end of the membrane into a low-viscosity light-curable adhesive and curing the adhesive. The invention further encompasses the resulting sealed hollow fiber membrane with a diameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the unsealed membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylour Johnson, David Colby
  • Patent number: 9956530
    Abstract: A membrane filter module configured to treat a liquid contained in a tank at an ambient pressure. The module may have a header, with a bundle containing a plurality of substantially vertical hollow fiber membranes, wherein a lower end of each hollow fiber membrane is fixed in the header. The module may also have a gasification device adapted to periodically generate a gaseous bubble and configured to release the gaseous bubble within the bundle. The module may further have an enclosure that substantially surrounds the bundle that extends from a lower region to an upper region of the membrane bundle, wherein the enclosure is configured to retain the liquid introduced into the enclosure such that the liquid surrounds the membrane bundle. The gaseous bubble has a cross-sectional area that corresponds with a cross-sectional area of the enclosure, such that the cross-sectional area of the gaseous bubble occupies substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the enclosure as it flows along the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylour Johnson, David M Colby, Manwinder Singh
  • Publication number: 20170173538
    Abstract: An enclosure assembly configured to receive a plurality of fiber membranes configured to filter fluid may include an elongated tubular member including an elongated wall extending between first and second ends, and a removable hatch coupled to opposing side edges of the elongated wall, thereby forming a hollow enclosure having an interior. The interior of the elongated tubular member may be configured to receive a plurality of fiber membranes configured to filter fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Johnson, David M. Colby, Manwinder Singh
  • Publication number: 20170014775
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of sealing the free end of a hollow fiber membrane for use in a single header filtration module by dipping the end of the membrane into a low-viscosity light-curable adhesive and curing the adhesive. The invention further encompasses the resulting sealed hollow fiber membrane with a diameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the unsealed membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylour Johnson, David Colby
  • Publication number: 20170007970
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel spiral wound membrane leaf packet with a unique substantially non-permeable polymeric resin folding area that has desirable physical and chemical resistance to strong cleaning conditions in industrial filtration applications including food or dairy processing, and the method to make and use the spiral wound membrane leaf packet, and a membrane filtration module that include the novel spiral wound membrane leaf packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Baruch, Anthony C Eringis, Thomas C McDermott, JR.
  • Patent number: 9498753
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of sealing the free end of a hollow fiber membrane for use in a single header filtration module by dipping the end of the membrane into a low-viscosity light-curable adhesive and curing the adhesive. The invention further encompasses the resulting sealed hollow fiber membrane with a diameter that is only slightly larger than the diameter of the unsealed membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylour Johnson, David Colby
  • Publication number: 20160220963
    Abstract: A membrane filter module configured to treat a liquid contained in a tank at an ambient pressure. The module may have a header, with a bundle containing a plurality of substantially vertical hollow fiber membranes, wherein a lower end of each hollow fiber membrane is fixed in the header. The module may also have a gasification device adapted to periodically generate a gaseous bubble and configured to release the gaseous bubble within the bundle. The module may further have an enclosure that substantially surrounds the bundle that extends from a lower region to an upper region of the membrane bundle, wherein the enclosure is configured to retain the liquid introduced into the enclosure such that the liquid surrounds the membrane bundle. The gaseous bubble has a cross-sectional area that corresponds with a cross-sectional area of the enclosure, such that the cross-sectional area of the gaseous bubble occupies substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the enclosure as it flows along the bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylour Johnson, David M. Colby, Manwinder Singh
  • Patent number: 9333464
    Abstract: A membrane filter module configured to treat a liquid contained in a tank at an ambient pressure. The module may have a header, with a bundle containing a plurality of substantially vertical hollow fiber membranes, wherein a lower end of each hollow fiber membrane is fixed in the header. The module may also have a gasification device adapted to periodically generate a gaseous bubble and configured to release the gaseous bubble within the bundle. The module may further have an enclosure that substantially surrounds the bundle that extends from a lower region to an upper region of the membrane bundle, wherein the enclosure is configured to retain the liquid introduced into the enclosure such that the liquid surrounds the membrane bundle. The gaseous bubble has a cross-sectional area that corresponds with a cross-sectional area of the enclosure, such that the cross-sectional area of the gaseous bubble occupies substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the enclosure as it flows along the bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylour L. Johnson, David M. Colby, Manwinder Singh
  • Publication number: 20160114292
    Abstract: A membrane filter module configured to treat a liquid contained in a tank at an ambient pressure. The module may have a header, with a bundle containing a plurality of substantially vertical hollow fiber membranes, wherein a lower end of each hollow fiber membrane is fixed in the header. The module may also have a gasification device adapted to periodically generate a gaseous bubble and configured to release the gaseous bubble within the bundle. The module may further have an enclosure that substantially surrounds the bundle that extends from a lower region to an upper region of the membrane bundle, wherein the enclosure is configured to retain the liquid introduced into the enclosure such that the liquid surrounds the membrane bundle. The gaseous bubble has a cross-sectional area that corresponds with a cross-sectional area of the enclosure, such that the cross-sectional area of the gaseous bubble occupies substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the enclosure as it flows along the bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: Koch Membrane Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Colby, Taylour Johnson, Manwinder Singh
  • Publication number: 20160023165
    Abstract: A single header filter cartridge for removing contaminates from water using a plurality of hollow fiber membrane filters, and methods of using the same, is provided. The single header filter cartridge contains a plurality of hollow fiber membrane filters secured at the top of the cartridge in a header to form a fiber bundle, the filter ends designed to be freely suspended in the water, a central aeration tube positioned at the cartridge bottom, and a vent tube positioned near the cartridge top that creates a void space within the fiber bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: KOCH MEMBRANE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: David M. Colby, Taylor Johnson
  • Patent number: 8480898
    Abstract: A membrane module for an immersed operation has a fiber bundle of hollow fiber membranes which are cast into a headpiece and in immersed operation are surrounded by a liquid to be filtered. The module has a permeate collection chamber connected to the headpiece with an outlet for permeate draining from the interior of the hollow fiber membranes, and a gas supply having a pipe guided by the headpiece. The pipe terminates in the interior of the fiber bundle and has a gas outlet for a gaseous medium, which after the transfer from the pipe to the liquid to be filtered rises as bubbles between the hollow fiber membranes. The fiber bundle is divided into sections and free spaces remain between the sections which extend from the pipe to the outer circumference of the headpiece and promote an inflow of the liquid into a foot area adjoining the headpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schäfer, Klaus Vossenkaul, Christoph Kullmann
  • Patent number: 8079572
    Abstract: A device for gassing a liquid, particularly for membrane facilities used in immersion operation, has a gas supply channel and at least one gas lance from which a gas flow exits in gassing operation. The gas lance is connected to the gas supply channel via at least one connection channel including a first mouth area on the side of the gas lance and a second mouth area on the side of the gas supply channel and generating as a throttle a flow pressure loss of the gas flow entering the gas lance. Below the first mouth area an extension section is provided, which adjoins the gas lance and has an opening below the first mouth area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schaefer, Klaus Vossenkaul, Dirk Volmering, Darren Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20110094964
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane filter for water treatment, comprising a head piece including a permeate collecting chamber with a permeate outlet, and at least one fiber bundle made from capillary membranes, which are secured into the head piece with an end that is open towards the permeate collecting chamber and sealed on the opposite end thereof. The head piece contains an air duct to which the mouth piece that protrudes into the fiber bundle is connected with at least one air outlet. At its other end, the fiber bundle terminates in freely movable manner in the untreated water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: KOCH MEMBRANE SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Vossenkaul, Stefan Schafer
  • Patent number: 7931805
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane filter unit for liquid or gaseous media, comprising a bundle of capillary membranes which are open on at least one front surface side and which are cast in an area which is close to the end of the open membrane ends, in a sealing layer forming a hardened head part. The open membrane ends protrude on the outer side of the sealing layer. The sealing layer is arranged on a spacer element which has a layer which is penetrated by the capillary membranes and which is non-permeable in relation to the casting material which hardens in order to form the sealing layer. The invention also relates to a method for the production of a membrane filter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schäfer, Klaus Vossenkaul, Christoph Kullmann, Andreas Kruse
  • Publication number: 20100200505
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane filter for water treatment, comprising a head piece including a permeate collecting chamber with a permeate outlet, and at least one fiber bundle made from capillary membranes, which are secured into the head piece with an end that is open towards the permeate collecting chamber and sealed on the opposite end thereof. The head piece contains an air duct to which the mouth piece that protrudes into the fiber bundle is connected with at least one air outlet. At its other end, the fiber bundle terminates in freely movable manner in the untreated water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: KOCH MEMBRANE SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Vossenkaul, Stefan Schafer
  • Patent number: 7638048
    Abstract: A membrane module for an immersed operation has a fiber bundle of hollow fiber membranes which are cast into a headpiece and in immersed operation are surrounded by a liquid to be filtered. The module has a permeate collection chamber connected to the headpiece with an outlet for permeate draining from the interior of the hollow fiber membranes, and a gas supply having a pipe guided by the headpiece. The pipe terminates in the interior of the fiber bundle and has a gas outlet for a gaseous medium, which after the transfer from the pipe to the liquid to be filtered rises as bubbles between the hollow fiber membranes. The fiber bundle is divided into sections and free spaces remain between the sections which extend from the pipe to the outer circumference of the headpiece and promote an inflow of the liquid into a foot area adjoining the headpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Koch Membrane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Schäfer, Klaus Vossenkaul, Christoph Kullmann
  • Publication number: 20090152198
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane filter for water treatment, comprising a head piece including a permeate collecting chamber with a permeate outlet, and at least one fiber bundle made from capillary membranes, which are secured into the head piece with an end that is open towards the permeate collecting chamber and sealed on the opposite end thereof. The head piece contains an air duct to which the mouth piece that protrudes into the fiber bundle is connected with at least one air outlet. At its other end, the fiber bundle terminates in freely movable manner in the untreated water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Koch Membrane Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Vossenkaul, Stefan Schafer
  • Patent number: D779631
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KOCH MEMBRANE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Taylour L Johnson, David M. Colby
  • Patent number: D779632
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KOCH MEMBRANE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Taylour L Johnson, David M. Colby