WO2001010542A1 - Antimicrobial filter cartridge - Google Patents
Antimicrobial filter cartridge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001010542A1 WO2001010542A1 PCT/US1999/018058 US9918058W WO0110542A1 WO 2001010542 A1 WO2001010542 A1 WO 2001010542A1 US 9918058 W US9918058 W US 9918058W WO 0110542 A1 WO0110542 A1 WO 0110542A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- filter cartridge
- antimicrobial
- hollow fibers
- antimicrobial filter
- polymer
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000000845 anti-microbial effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 42
- 239000012510 hollow fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 71
- 239000004599 antimicrobial Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 21
- 229920002301 cellulose acetate Polymers 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 11
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Diethyl ether Chemical compound CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920000433 Lyocell Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920000297 Rayon Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002964 rayon Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- XKZQKPRCPNGNFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)phenol Chemical compound OC1=CC=CC(C=2C(=CC=CC=2)O)=C1 XKZQKPRCPNGNFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920005594 polymer fiber Polymers 0.000 claims 5
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims 4
- 238000002386 leaching Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000001471 micro-filtration Methods 0.000 abstract description 11
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 65
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 39
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 25
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 16
- 238000001223 reverse osmosis Methods 0.000 description 15
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000001580 bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 239000002609 medium Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 7
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000003651 drinking water Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 229920002981 polyvinylidene fluoride Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000108 ultra-filtration Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000002033 PVDF binder Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000670 limiting effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229920002492 poly(sulfone) Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 230000000844 anti-bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000020188 drinking water Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 3
- 239000012982 microporous membrane Substances 0.000 description 3
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 3
- NLHHRLWOUZZQLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acrylonitrile Chemical compound C=CC#N NLHHRLWOUZZQLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chlorine atom Chemical compound [Cl] ZAMOUSCENKQFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004962 Polyamide-imide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004642 Polyimide Substances 0.000 description 2
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 235000012206 bottled water Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 229910052801 chlorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000000460 chlorine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005764 inhibitory process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001728 nano-filtration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000017066 negative regulation of growth Effects 0.000 description 2
- 231100000252 nontoxic Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 230000003000 nontoxic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002312 polyamide-imide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920006393 polyether sulfone Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001721 polyimide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001059 synthetic polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-M Acetate Chemical compound CC([O-])=O QTBSBXVTEAMEQO-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 241001360526 Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 Species 0.000 description 1
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006065 biodegradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010796 biological waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002542 deteriorative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 201000010099 disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000037265 diseases, disorders, signs and symptoms Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000035622 drinking Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003344 environmental pollutant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001963 growth medium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000002887 hydroxy group Chemical group [H]O* 0.000 description 1
- 230000036039 immunity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002521 macromolecule Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000012009 microbiological test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004660 morphological change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002823 nitrates Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 231100001223 noncarcinogenic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 239000011368 organic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000037361 pathway Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 231100000719 pollutant Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002829 reductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011012 sanitization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001235 sensitizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008399 tap water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020679 tap water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001187 thermosetting polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010891 toxic waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003643 water by type Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020681 well water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002349 well water Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D69/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
- B01D69/08—Hollow fibre membranes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D63/02—Hollow fibre modules
- B01D63/024—Hollow fibre modules with a single potted end
- B01D63/0241—Hollow fibre modules with a single potted end being U-shaped
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
- A61L2/022—Filtration
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/16—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using chemical substances
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
- A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
- A61L2/26—Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
- B01D61/14—Ultrafiltration; Microfiltration
- B01D61/18—Apparatus therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D63/00—Apparatus in general for separation processes using semi-permeable membranes
- B01D63/02—Hollow fibre modules
- B01D63/024—Hollow fibre modules with a single potted end
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D69/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
- B01D69/02—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor characterised by their properties
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D69/00—Semi-permeable membranes for separation processes or apparatus characterised by their form, structure or properties; Manufacturing processes specially adapted therefor
- B01D69/12—Composite membranes; Ultra-thin membranes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
- B01D2313/23—Specific membrane protectors, e.g. sleeves or screens
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
- B01D2313/44—Cartridge types
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
- B01D2313/90—Additional auxiliary systems integrated with the module or apparatus
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D2325/00—Details relating to properties of membranes
- B01D2325/48—Antimicrobial properties
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/28—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption
- C02F1/283—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/44—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
- C02F1/444—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/50—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by addition or application of a germicide or by oligodynamic treatment
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to filters for the purification of liquids.
- the invention relates to antimicrobial semipermeable hollow fiber membranes used in reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration/nanofiltration and microfiltration.
- Reverse osmosis filtration systems are some of the most common solutions for improving water quality.
- Osmosis is the flow or diffusion that takes place through a semipermeable membrane (as in a living cell) typically separating either a solvent (as water) and a solution or a dilute solution and a concentrated solution.
- the semipermeable membrane controls the flow of solute from the concentrated solution to the dilute solution thus bringing about conditions for equalizing the concentrations of solute on the two sides of the membrane to form an equilibrium.
- pressure is deliberately applied to the more concentrated solution causing the flow of solvent in the opposite direction through the membrane, i.e., into the more dilute solution. In this way the liquid can be separated from solids and dissolved solids, decreasing the concentration of the solids and dissolved solids in the filtered fluid.
- membranes used in hyperfiltration remove particles of 1-10 Angstrom units and include chemical compounds of about 180 to 15,000 molecular weights.
- Microfiltration which is mainly used to remove bacteria from solutions covers the range of 500 Angstrom to 20,000 Angstroms or 0.05 to 2 microns. (Lonsdale, H.K. "The Growth of Membrane Technology” Journal of Membrane Science, 10, p.80-81 (1982)).
- these great strides in filtration have come at a cost, primarily in the form of bacteria contamination of filters and increased back pressures.
- bacteria fouled membranes are difficult to clean.
- a gelatinous biofilm is formed on the upstream surface of the membrane which is very difficult to remove, except through use of strong chemical oxidants that damage the membrane.
- the biofilm protects the bacteria from the normal cleaning and sanitizing procedures and leads to a break through of bacteria across the membrane. This phenomena is not completely understood, since the pores of most reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration membranes are at least 2 to 4 orders of magnitude smaller than the bacterial cells.
- One possible explanation is that the bacterial cells exist in a dynamic state with continuous morphological changes occurring throughout the population. These bacteria then get more opportunities and time to find their way to an accommodating pathway through the membrane.
- bacteria are detected on the downstream side of the membrane in 48 to 72 hours.
- the downstream side of the membrane becomes discolored or black over time as the bacteria colonize on the downstream side of the membrane and form a biofilm that is difficult to remove.
- Such biological fouling can also lead to formation of localized extremes in pH that can damage the membrane.
- 08/877,080 and Application Serial No. 60/090,966 provide solutions to the problems created by bacteria buildup in reverse osmosis filters.
- antimicrobial agents within various structures within the filter, water filters may be produced that are capable of removing and eliminating practically all microorganisms that may be present in the influent.
- some bacteria may slip through pores of 0.75 microns.
- the primary factor limiting flow of water through the above described filters is the total surface area of the membrane through which water is able to pass or more specifically, the lack of surface area.
- a semipermeable membrane is in the form of a flat sheet, as is typically utilized in a microfiltration filter cartridge, the maximum surface area is limited to the circumference of the plastic or activated carbon core over which it is wrapped.
- One method to increase surface area is to pleat the filter medium as is done in purely mechanical membrane filters, such as automobile oil filters. In the microfiltration context this solution is difficult to implement.
- the present invention is directed toward an antimicrobial filter cartridge which utilizes a bundle of semipermeable hollow fibers centrally located within a housing.
- the housing has a two chambers separated by a barrier through which the hollow fibers extend.
- the hollow fibers are enclosed in one chamber and open in the other.
- the chamber housing the enclosed hollow fibers also contains a microporous filter medium, such as a melt blown polymer web or a tightly wound yam, that surrounds the hollow fibers.
- This chamber also receives the fluid to be filtered.
- the barrier between the two chambers forces the water through the microporous filter medium where solid contaminates are removed.
- the water is also forced through the walls of the semipermeable hollow fibers which work to remove various dissolved solids from the water.
- the water that enters the hollow fibers flows within the hollow fiber and through the barrier where it is then discharged into the other chamber of the housing from where it flows out of the housing and to its end use.
- the various components of the antimicrobial filter such as the hollow fibers and the microporous filter medium, may be treated with an antimicrobial agent to eliminate any microorganisms, such as bacteria, that may be filtered from the water.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an antimicrobial filter in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an antimicrobial filter in accordance with the invention.
- One aspect of the present invention is an improvement upon the bactericidal filters described in U.S. Patent No. 5,762,797 (the 797 patent) and U.S. Application 08/877,080 (the O80 application).
- a filter cartridge is provided that is similar to the cartridges disclosed in the 797 patent and the '080 application except that the flat semipermeable membranes utilized in those cartridges is replaced with hollow fiber membranes.
- the hollow fiber membranes utilized in this application can be used with or without treatment with an antimicrobial agent, such as Microban® Additive B, but the use of such an antimicrobial agent is preferred.
- an antimicrobial agent such as Microban® Additive B
- a microporous hollow fiber is a polymeric tube having an outside diameter less than or equal to 2 mm and whose wall functions as a semipermeable membrane. These microporous hollow fibers can be created with controlled porosity starting from as low as 0.05 micron to slightly less than 1 micron using techniques that are familiar to those well versed in the art. See Cabasso, "Hollow Fiber Membranes", Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia & Chemical Technology, 3rd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, 12:492-517 (1984).
- Hollow fiber membranes are made with many types of synthetic polymers such as acrylonitrile, polysulfone, polyethersulfones, aromatic polyamides, polyimides, polyamide- imides, and polyvinylidene fluoride.
- synthetic polymers such as acrylonitrile, polysulfone, polyethersulfones, aromatic polyamides, polyimides, polyamide- imides, and polyvinylidene fluoride.
- the preparation of membranes for diverse applications is extensively described in the patent and technical literature, some of the relevant patents being, Klein et al U.S. Patent No. 4,051,300 and Wenthold et al U.S. Patent No. 5,762,798. Also see “Hollow Fiber Membranes”, Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3d Ed., John Wiley & Sons 12 :492-517 ( 1984) all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- the hollow fibers utilized in the invention are treated with an antimicrobial agent.
- the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'hydroxy diphenol ether and 5-chloro-2-phenol(2,3-dichlorophenoxy).
- the antimicrobial agent is present in a concentration from about 500 ppm to about 20,000 ppm by weight, and preferably from about 2,500 ppm to about 20,000 ppm by weight based upon the weight of the polysulfone and polyvinylidene fluoride polymer.
- the antimicrobial agent is incorporated into hollow fibers by adding it to the "dope" solution used to form the follow fibers.
- a wide variety of hollow fiber membranes may be made depending on their applications which include, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, etc. Although the concepts of the present invention apply equally to all three of these areas, this discussion is directed primarily to the area of microfiltration.
- the surface area of the flat sheet membrane is approximately 0.04 m 2 .
- a microporous membrane surface area of between 60 to 160 m 2 or more depending on the diameter of the hollow fibers utilized. Availability of such a large surface area results in higher flow rates, lower back pressures and the ability to use lower pore diameters resulting in higher bacterial log reduction.
- the present improvement in design of bactericidal filter cartridges consists of substituting a microporous hollow fiber membrane for a flat sheet microporous membrane. This substitution allows the use of membranes with much finer pore diameters without compromising flow rates or creating unacceptable back pressure.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an antimicrobial filter cartridge 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention.
- the antimicrobial filter cartridge 10 includes a plurality of semipermeable hollow fibers 12 centrally located within housing 14 which has a first chamber 16 and a second chamber 18 separated by a barrier 20 through which hollow fibers 12 extend.
- the second chamber 18 is in fluid communication with the source of the fluid to be filtered through fluid inlet 24.
- water will be used as the fluid to be filtered.
- the first chamber 16 acts as a temporary repository of filtered water.
- the semipermeable hollow fibers 12 may be made of any of the types of synthetic polymers discussed above and incorporated by reference including acrylonitrile, polysulfone, polyethersulfones, aromatic polyamides, polyimides, polyamide-imides, and polyvinylidene fluoride.
- the hollow fibers 12 also incorporate an antimicrobial agent.
- the antimicrobial agent used to treat the hollow fibers, and any other component of the filter is practically insoluble in the water passing through and over the filter cartridge, and is safe, non- toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-sensitizing to human and animal skin and does not accumulate in the human body when ingested.
- the antimicrobial is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent, i.e., it is equally effective against the majority of harmful bacteria encountered in water.
- an antimicrobial agent such as 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'- hydroxydiphenol ether, or 5-chloro-2phenol (2,4 dichlorophenoxy) commonly sold under the trademark MICROBANdDB, by Microban Products Co., Huntersville, North Carolina, typically will be used.
- MICROBANdDB MICROBANdDB
- various other antimicrobial agents that are safe non-toxic and substantially insoluble in water can be used in the present invention.
- Test Organism Syaphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538
- Sample Material PNDF Sample Size: Variable Growth Medium: Mueller-Hinton Agar Test Conditions: Incubated at 37° ⁇ 2°C for 18-24 hours
- the hollow fibers 12 should be arranged such that an open end extends from the
- Second chamber 18 Such an arrangement may be accomplished by enclosing one end of a
- FIG. 1 the hollow fibers 12 are
- the hollow fibers 12 must not be bent so as to
- the hollow fibers 12 are bundled together by the barrier
- the barrier 20 is formed of a thermoset or thermoplastic polymer such as
- the barrier 20 which encloses a portion of the hollow fibers 20
- barrier 20 enclosing hollow fibers 12 will be formed in a mold external to the housing so that
- surrounding the bundle of hollow fibers 12 is a microporous
- the microporous filter medium is a melt-blown polymer web 22.
- the polymer may be selected from the group consisting of nylon, polypropylene, cellulose
- polypropylene fibers are impregnated with Microban® B during extrusion and
- the of the antimicrobial agent in the fibers generally is between 50 to 20,000 ppm, preferably
- melt blown web 22 may be held in place by making it of sufficient thickness such
- melt blown web 22 may be secured by setting
- barrier 20 one end of the web within barrier 20 thereby making the barrier 20, the bundle of hollow fibers 12 and the melt blown web 22 a single unit within housing 14.
- barrier 20 along with the walls of the second chamber 18 force the water into contact with the
- FIG. 2 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the antimicrobial filter according
- melt blown web 22 is replaced by a wrapping of yam 28.
- the yam can be made of cotton, nylon,
- polypropylene cellulose acetate, rayon, lyocell, acrylic, polyester, polyethylene or any combination thereof
- the yam 28 is 0.60 cotton count
- the yam 28 contains polypropylene fiber between 0.3 denier per filament (dpf) to
- the polypropylene fiber is cut into 2 inch staple, then opened and carded and friction spun into a
- the polypropylene fiber is impregnated with an antimicrobial agent, such as
- fibers generally is between 50 to 20,000 ppm, preferably between 1000 ppm to 5000 ppm.
- the 0.60 cc yam is tightly wound around the hollow fibers 12 in a spiral pattern to cover the
- the yam 28 be wrapped around a ridged guide 30 which is set in the barrier 20 and which surrounds and
- the guide 30 may simply consist
- the hollow fibers 12 could be situated within a core of granulated activated carbon which is in turn surrounded by a microporous filter medium.
- hollow fibers 12 could surround a core of activated carbon. If activated carbon
- cartridge according to the invention provides a microfiltration filter cartridge capable of
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU55520/99A AU5552099A (en) | 1999-08-09 | 1999-08-09 | Antimicrobial filter cartridge |
PCT/US1999/018058 WO2001010542A1 (en) | 1999-08-09 | 1999-08-09 | Antimicrobial filter cartridge |
CA002346750A CA2346750C (en) | 1999-08-09 | 1999-08-09 | Antimicrobial filter cartridge |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/018058 WO2001010542A1 (en) | 1999-08-09 | 1999-08-09 | Antimicrobial filter cartridge |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001010542A1 true WO2001010542A1 (en) | 2001-02-15 |
Family
ID=22273356
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/018058 WO2001010542A1 (en) | 1999-08-09 | 1999-08-09 | Antimicrobial filter cartridge |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU5552099A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2346750C (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001010542A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102010002989A1 (en) * | 2010-03-17 | 2011-09-22 | Sgl Carbon Se | Material composition, its production and use |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4341631A (en) * | 1979-09-07 | 1982-07-27 | Union Carbide Corporation | Ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis device comprising plural carbon tubes bonded together |
US5006267A (en) * | 1989-11-08 | 1991-04-09 | The Dow Chemical Company | Biocidal fluid filters |
US5102547A (en) * | 1991-06-21 | 1992-04-07 | Ionics, Incorporated | Anti-fouling semi-permeable membrane system |
US5198110A (en) * | 1990-07-02 | 1993-03-30 | Asahi Medical Co., Ltd. | Bundle of permselective hollow fibers and a fluid separator containing the same |
US5494987A (en) * | 1991-01-18 | 1996-02-27 | Kuraray Co., Ltd. | Antimicrobial polmerizable composition, the polymer and article obtained from the same |
-
1999
- 1999-08-09 CA CA002346750A patent/CA2346750C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-08-09 AU AU55520/99A patent/AU5552099A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-08-09 WO PCT/US1999/018058 patent/WO2001010542A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4341631A (en) * | 1979-09-07 | 1982-07-27 | Union Carbide Corporation | Ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis device comprising plural carbon tubes bonded together |
US5006267A (en) * | 1989-11-08 | 1991-04-09 | The Dow Chemical Company | Biocidal fluid filters |
US5198110A (en) * | 1990-07-02 | 1993-03-30 | Asahi Medical Co., Ltd. | Bundle of permselective hollow fibers and a fluid separator containing the same |
US5494987A (en) * | 1991-01-18 | 1996-02-27 | Kuraray Co., Ltd. | Antimicrobial polmerizable composition, the polymer and article obtained from the same |
US5102547A (en) * | 1991-06-21 | 1992-04-07 | Ionics, Incorporated | Anti-fouling semi-permeable membrane system |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102010002989A1 (en) * | 2010-03-17 | 2011-09-22 | Sgl Carbon Se | Material composition, its production and use |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2346750C (en) | 2003-10-07 |
CA2346750A1 (en) | 2001-02-15 |
AU5552099A (en) | 2001-03-05 |
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