TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This disclosure generally relate to water treatment equipment, and more particularly, to filtration system and components for such filtration system.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0002] Water treatment facilities are key civil infrastructures in many countries around the world, and are used to transform a source of water into potable water. Depending on the water source, different technologies can be used, and many water treatment facilities use a number of filtration stages which use different technologies. Desalination plants, for instance, use salt water from an ocean or sea as the water source. Such plants include a plurality of filtration stages, and typically include, in sequence, a screening stage to prevent introduction of marine life or other larger objects into the plant, a pre-filtration stage, a cartridge filtration stage, and typically more than one reverse osmosis stage along the main water treatment line. The details can vary significantly from one application to another. While many existing technologies were satisfactory to a certain degree, there always remains room for improvement.

SUMMARY

[0003] In cartridge filtration stages, in particular, a plurality of cylindrical, elongated filter cartridges may be positioned adjacent one another in a pressure vessel. An inlet may be provided at one end of the filter cartridges. The inlet may be formed as part of a filter holder adjacent a filter seat, and which may also have an elongated stem configured to extend through a central aperture of the filter and leading to a filter retainer at the other end. The filter retainer clamped the filter against the filter seat. The rod may be held to the filter seat by struts, and all these components may extend internally to the fluid path within the filter, causing pressure losses which may be desirably minimized.

[0004] In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a cartridge support for a filter cartridge mountable into a filter housing, the filter cartridge having opposite longitudinal ends, the cartridge support comprising: a filter seat engageable to one of the longitudinal ends of the filter cartridge, the filter seat having a tube defining a fluid port for fluid flow communication with the filter cartridge; a rod extending through the tube of the filter seat from a proximal side to a distal side of the tube relative to the filter cartridge, the rod connected to the filter seat via a rod holder on the distal side, the rod holder and the rod extending axially beyond the tube of the filter seat on the distal side; and a clamping member coupled to the rod and engageable to the other one of the longitudinal ends of the filter cartridge.

[0005] Further in accordance with the above aspect, for example, the filter seat has a portion with a threaded outer surface for engagement with a fastener.

[0006] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the filter seat has an end in a cup shape so as to extend about a periphery of the filter cartridge when the filter cartridge abuts against the end of the filter seat.

[0007] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the rod holder is located at an end of the filter seat, the rod holder extending axially from the tube of the filter seat.

[0008] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the rod holder forms part of the filter seat.

[0009] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the rod holder has a plurality of struts extending axially from a peripheral wall of the tube.

[0010] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the plurality of struts define a plurality of openings circumferentially spaced apart from each other about the rod.

[0011] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the plurality of openings face at least partially in a radial direction relative to the tube of the filter seat.

[0012] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the plurality of openings are opened towards the rod.

[0013] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, a surface area occupied by the plurality of openings about the rod is greater than a surface area occupied by the plurality of struts.

[0014] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the clamping member is a clamping nut

[0015] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the clamping nut is in threading engagement with an end of the rod or a threaded rod extension coupled to the end of the rod. [0016] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a cartridge assembly for mounting into a filter housing, the cartridge assembly comprising: a filter cartridge having a permeable wall; and a cartridge support according to the present disclosure.

[0017] Further in accordance with the above aspect, for example, the filter cartridge is tubular, the filter cartridge having a center portion and a wall extending peripherally about the center portion, wherein the center portion is hollowed.

[0018] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the filter cartridge has a round cross-section.

[0019] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the fluid port of the filter seat is coaxial with the center portion of the filter cartridge.

[0020] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the filter cartridge has an elongated shape, wherein a longitudinal extent of the filter cartridge is between 12 inches and 70 inches.

[0021] Further in accordance with the above aspects, for example, the rod extends through the center portion of the filter cartridge along an entirety of the longitudinal extent of the filter cartridge.

[0022] In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a cartridge filtration system comprising: a pressure vessel having a main body of the shell type and a cap in sealing engagement with the main body to enclose a volume of the pressure vessel, an inlet and an outlet defined by the pressure vessel, the outlet in fluid flow communication with the inlet; a support plate for mounting a plurality of cartridge assemblies as defined in the present disclosure, the support plate in sealing engagement with one or more walls of the pressure vessel.

[0023] Further in accordance with the above aspect, for example, the support plate separates the pressure vessel into two chambers in fluid flow communication via the plurality of cartridge assemblies, wherein a fluid path between the two chambers is defined through the filter cartridges and the flow port of the filter seats of the plurality of cartridge assemblies.

[0024] Many further features and combinations thereof concerning the present improvements will appear to those skilled in the art following a reading of the instant disclosure. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Fig. 1A is an oblique view of a section of a water treatment facility;

[0026] Fig. 1 B is a view of an example of a cartridge filtration system;

[0027] Fig. 2 is an elevation view of an exemplary filter cartridge of the cartridge filtration system shown in Fig. 1 B;

[0028] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional partial view of the filter cartridge as mounted into the cartridge filtration system shown in Fig. 1 B;

[0029] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of parts of a cartridge support of the filter cartridge shown in Figs. 2 and 3;

[0030] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken in plane 5-5 of Fig. 4;

[0031] Fig. 6 is a side plane view of the cartridge support shown in Fig. 4; and

[0032] Fig. 7 is another side plane view of the cartridge support shown in Fig. 4, showing the cartridge support in a different orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Referring to Fig. 1A, a portion of an example water treatment facility 8, and more specifically a desalination plant, is shown. The portion includes a plurality of cartridge filtration systems 10 forming a cartridge filtration stage, and a plurality of reverse osmosis filtration systems 9, forming a first and second reverse osmosis filtration stages. Pre-filtration is not shown.

[0034] Fig. 1 B shows an example of cartridge filtration system 10 which may be used in water treatment facilities such as desalination plants. Large scale water treatment facilities may include more than one of such cartridge filtration system 10, and other filtration components. Such water treatment facility may be a desalination plant, for instance, or plant for other water treatment purposes. In Fig. 1 B, the cartridge filtration system 10 is shown in a partially exploded view with a cutout to show internal components.

[0035] The cartridge filtration system 10 generally has a pressure vessel 10A including a main body 11 of the shell type and a cap 12 in sealing engagement with the main body 11 to enclose a volume. The cartridge filtration system 10 may be fluidly connected to a water piping network. In other words, the cartridge filtration system 10 may form part of the water network. Water may flow through the cartridge filtration system 10 at a certain pressure. Pressure gages or other types of sensors (not shown) may be mounted onto the main body 11 and/or the cap 12 to monitor various characteristics of the water flowing through the cartridge filtration system 10, and/or status of components inside the cartridge filtration system 10, as some other possibilities. The cartridge filtration system 10 has an inlet 14 and an outlet 15 in fluid flow communication with the inlet 14. The cartridge filtration system 10 includes a plurality of cartridge assemblies 100 mounted into the cartridge filtration system 10.

[0036] As will be further described herein later, the cartridge assembly 100 includes a filter cartridge 110 and a cartridge support 120 for mounting the filter cartridge 110 cartridge filtration system 10. The water flowing through the cartridge filtration system 10 is filtered by passing through the plurality of filter cartridges 110 of the cartridge assemblies 100 and through parts of the cartridge support 120. The plurality of cartridge assemblies 100 define a flow path between regions of the defined within the pressure vessel 10A, including here an upstream chamber UC and a downstream chamber DC. The flow direction is illustrated by the bold arrow. The flow path through the cartridge assemblies 100 extends through the filter cartridge 110 and parts of the cartridge support 120. The cartridge support 120 is configured to hold the filter cartridge 110 and connect the filter cartridge 110 to a receiving portion of the cartridge filtration system 10. The cartridge support 120 may mate with such receiving portion so as to limit or prevent bypass flow or leaks between the chambers UC, DC. In the depicted embodiment, the cartridge filtration system 10 includes a support plate 16 for mounting the plurality of cartridge assemblies 100 within the cartridge filtration system 10 via the cartridge support 120.

[0037] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary cartridge assembly 100 including the filter cartridge 110 and cartridge support 120. The cartridge assembly 100 has an elongated shape, which may vary in length depending on the embodiments. In at least some embodiments, the filter cartridge 110 is tubular (Fig. 3). The filter cartridge 110 has a wall 111 , permeable, which may retain particles and include pores to allow the water to flow therethrough at an operating pressure of the cartridge filtration system 10. The filter cartridge 110 may be a string wound or melt-blown type filter, for instance.

[0038] Such filter cartridges 110 may be adapted to different sizes of cartridge filtration system 10, and/or may be retrofitted to various filter housings. The filter cartridge 110 has an elongated shape. The filter cartridge 110 has a longitudinal extent 112 which may vary depending on the embodiments. For instance, the filter cartridge 110 may have a longitudinal extent 112 between 12 inches and 70 inches, such as 20 inches, 30 inches, 40 inches, 50 inches, 60 inches or more (± 5 inches), depending on the embodiments. Other longitudinal extents 112 may be contemplated, such as even more than 70 inches in other embodiments. In the depicted embodiment, the filter cartridge 110 has a round cross-section. This is only one possibility, as other cross-section shapes could be contemplated. An elongated filter cartridge 110 such as shown may provide a larger open flow area for the water passing therethrough. Increasing a peripheral surface area of the filter cartridge 110 for filtration may allow a greater volumetric flow rate of water passing through the cartridge filtration system 10 at an operating pressure of the cartridge filtration system 10.

[0039] The filter cartridge 110 is held at its longitudinal ends 113A, 113B by components of the cartridge support 120. As shown, the cartridge support 120 has a filter seat 121 located at one end 113A of the filter cartridge 110 and a clamping member 122 located at the other end 113B of the filter cartridge 110. A rod 123 extends from the filter seat 121 . The rod 123 extends through the filter cartridge 110. The rod 123 and the filter cartridge 110 extend coaxially. The rod 123 may extend along an entirety of the longitudinal extent 112 of the filter cartridge 110. During assembly, the filter cartridge 110 may be inserted axially about the rod 123. The end 113A of the filter cartridge 110 may abut against the filter seat 121. The clamping member 122 may then engage the rod 123, and abut against the end 113B (end opposite to that engaging the filter seat 121) of the filter cartridge 110. The filter cartridge 110 may be clamped between the filter seat 121 and the clamping member 122. Upon clamping, a tension load may be exerted on the rod 123 as the filter seat 121 and the clamping member 122 press against the opposite ends 113A, 113B of the filter cartridge 110. The clamping member 122 may be secured to the rod 123 or a component coupled at the end 123A of the rod 123 to clamp the filter cartridge 110. In the depicted embodiment, the clamping member 122 is a clamping nut. A threaded rod extension 123B (see Fig. 4) may extend from the end 123A of the rod 123, or threads at the end 123A of the rod 123 may engage with the clamping member 122. A threaded engagement is only one possibility, as other coupling may be contemplated, such as interlocking features between the clamping member 122 and the rod 123 (or coupling at the end of the rod 123), or a tight fit connection in between them, for instance.

[0040] Referring to Fig. 3, the filter seat 121 of the cartridge support 120 extends through the support plate 16 via a hole 16H defined therethrough. As shown, the filter seat 121 protrudes on opposite sides of the support plate 16. The filter seat 121 is removably secured to the support plate 16. As shown, the filter seat 121 may abut against the support plate 16. An intermediary piece, such as a gasket or a washer may interface between the filter seat 121 and the support plate 16. During maintenance, or other purposes, the filter cartridges 110 may be removed from the cartridge filtration system 10 and/or replaced. In at least some embodiment, the filter seat 121 defines a sole fluid connection between the filter cartridge 110 and a remainder of the pressure vessel 10A. In the depicted embodiment, the filter seat 121 has a portion with a threaded outer surface 121 A. The filter seat 121 is secured to the support plate 16 by a fastener F in threading engagement with the threaded outer surface 121 A of the filter seat 121 . This is only one possibility, as the filter seat 121 could be secured differently to the support plate 16.

[0041] The filter cartridge 110 defines part of a flow path FP between the upstream chamber UC and the downstream chamber DC of the cartrige filtration system 10. In Fig. 3, the flow direction of the flow path FP is illustrated by bold arrows. As shown, water may pass through the filter cartridge 110 to reach a center portion 114 thereof. In the depicted embodiment, the filter cartridge 110 is tubular. As shown, the center portion 114 of the filter cartridge 110 is hollowed. The center portion 114 extends along a longitudinal axis X of the filter cartridge 110. The center portion 114 defines a flow passage 115 for collecting the water filtered through the wall 111 of the filter cartridge 110. The flow passage 115 extends up to the filter seat 121. The water reaching the filter seat 121 may pass therethrough via a fluid port 121 B defined therein. The fluid port 121 B is in fluid flow communication with the center portion 114 of the filter cartridge 114. As shown, the center portion 114 (and/or the flow passage 115) and the fluid port 121 B of the filter seat 121 are coaxial. Water through the flow passage 115 may exit the filter seat 121 to reach the downstream chamber DC of the cartrige filtration system 10.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 3, and with additional reference in Fig. 4, the filter seat 121 includes a tubular portion 121C (or simply “tubes”). The fluid port 121 B is defined by the tubular portion 121C and extends from an end 121 D of the filter seat 121 which engages the filter cartridge 110. Such end 121 D is at a proximal side of the tubular portion 121C relative to the filter cartridge 110. In the depicted embodiment, the end 121 D has a cup shape so as to extend at least partially about a periphery of the filter cartridge 110. This may guide a coaxial alignment between the filter cartridge 110 and the filter seat 121 during assembly. [0043] The rod 123 extends through the tubular portion 121C from the proximal side to a distal side, opposite the proximal side, of the tubular portion 121C. The fluid port 121 B has an open cross-sectional area OC which surrounds the rod 123. Such open cross-sectional area OC is illustrated at Fig. 5. Maximizing the open cross-sectional area OC may provide a greater volumetric flow rate through the tubular portion 121C. The size (cross-section) of the rod 123 may thus be selected so as to support the tension load exerted by the clamping of the filter cartridge 110, while limiting its cross-section.

[0044] With continued reference to Fig. 4 and additional reference to Fig. 6, the rod 123 is connected to the filter seat 121 at an end 121 E thereof. As shown, the rod 123 is connected to the filter seat 121 via a rod holder 130. As shown, an end 123C of the rod 123 is coupled to the rod holder 130. The rod 123 and the rod holder 130 may be coupled via a tight fit connection, molding/comolding or threads, for instance. The end 123C of the rod 123 may be integral with the rod holder 130 in some embodiments. In the depicted embodiment, the rod holder 130 forms part of the filter seat 121. In other words, the rod holder 130 defines the end 121 E of the filter seat 121. A separate rod holder 130 (i.e. separate part) coupled to the filter seat 121 may be contemplated in other cases. The rod 123, so is the rod holder 130, extend axially beyond the tubular portion 121 C of the filter seat 121. Locating the rod holder 130 at an axial distance from and/or outside of the fluid port 121 B, i.e. axially away from the tubular portion 121C of the filter seat 121 , may maximize the open cross-sectional area OC of the fluid port 121 B. In other words, while the rod 123 extends through the tubular portion 121C and supported as such, the rod holder 130 may not obstruct the fluid port 121 B. This may limit a pressure drop caused by the water flowing through the filter seat 121 , for instance as compared to other configurations where the rod holder 130 may be integrated into the tubular portion 121 C, which may be less desirable at least for such reason.

[0045] Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the rod holder 130 includes a plurality of struts, here shown as a pair of struts 131 A, 131 B. A single strut, or more than two struts may be contemplated in other embodiments. The water flowing through the fluid port 121 B of the filter seat 121 may exit to the downstream chamber DC via openings 121 F defined by the rod holder 130. The pair of struts 131 A, 131 B delimit opposite sides of an opening 121 F of said openings 121 F. In other words, the openings 121 F are defined between circumferentially adjacent struts 131A, 131 B. Stated differently, the openings 121 F are circumferentially spaced apart from each other by the struts 131 A, 131 B. In other words, adjacent struts 131 A, 131 F define an arch, with such arch forming an open space that is one of such openings 121 F through which water may flow. The openings 121 F are located between the tubular portion 121C and the rod holder 130. As can be seen in Fig. 6, the openings 121 F face in a radial direction (at least partially) relative to the tubular portion 121C of the filter seat 121 . Also as seen in Fig. 6, the openings 121 F are opened toward the rod 123. The number of openings 121 F may correspond to the number of struts 131 A, 131 B of the rod holder 130. In other words, the water flowing out of the filter seat to the downstream chamber DC circulates between adjacent struts 131A, 131 B. The struts 131A, 131 B extend axially from a peripheral wall of the tubular portion 121C. The struts 131 A, 131 B may be defined by an axial extension of the peripheral wall of the tubular portion 121C, axially beyond the fluid port 121 B.

[0046] The geometry and/or size of the struts 131 A, 131 B may affect the size of the openings 121 F. For instance, longer struts 131A, 131 B may provide larger openings (axially). While large openings may limit the pressure drop, longer struts 131 A, 131 B may create obstacles to the water flow in the downstream chamber DC towards the outlet 15 of the cartridge filtration system 10. While the strut(s) sizes, number and/or geometry may be selected as a function of the tension load in the rod 123 to be supported upon clamping, as described above, the struts 131 A, 131 B finesse may be maximized. A surface area occupied by the openings 121 F about the rod 123 is greater than a surface area occupied by the struts 131 A, 131 B. In some embodiments, the struts 131 A, 131 B may have a profile shape, such as a foil, to limit drag and/or obstruction to the flow.

[0047] The cartridge support 120 may be manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques, molding, such as injection molding, machining, or a combination thereof, for instance. The cartridge support 120 may be made of polyester, polyamide material, or other material. In at least some embodiments, the cartridge support 120, i.e. the filter seat 121 and/or the clamping member and/or the rod 123 and/or the rod holder 130, may be made of a fiber reinforced material, such as fiber reinforced polyester. Materials with a great resistance to corrosion may better behave in the environment in which they operate. These materials are only examples.

[0048] Returning to Fig. 1 B, in operation, water may enter the cartridge filtration system 10 at an operating pressure via the inlet 14, which is at one end of the cartridge filtration system 10 in the example shown, at an end of the main body 11 , and flow through the cartridge filtration system 10 to reach the outlet 15, which is at an opposite end of the cartridge filtration system 10 in the example shown, which corresponds in the depicted embodiment to the cap 12. The water flowing through the cartridge filtration system 10 is filtered by passing through the plurality of filter cartridges 110 of the cartridge assemblies 100 extending in the upstream chamber UC to reach the downstream chamber DC where the water may exit the cartridge filtration system 10 via the outlet 15 in fluid flow communication with the downstream chamber DC. In other words, the upstream and downstream chambers UC, DC are in fluid flow communication via the plurality of filter cartridges 110.

[0049] In the depicted embodiment, the support plate 16 is in the form of a flat disc. The support plate 16 separates the cartridge filtration system 10 in at least two regions. The support plate 16 defines a wall between the upstream chamber UC and the downstream chamber DC of the cartridge filtration system 10, the chambers named as such with reference to their relative position with respect to the flow direction. In at least some embodiments, the support plate 16 is in sealing engagement with one or more walls 13W of the cartridge filtration system 10. The plurality of filter cartridges 110 may define the only flow path between the upstream chamber UC and the downstream chamber DC. Sealing may be obtained via a tight fit assembly of the support plate 16 and the one or more walls of the cartridge filtration system 10 (e.g., either with the cap, the main body, or both), a seal, such as a sealing ring, gasket, etc., and/or by bonding, such as by an adhesive, caulk, etc., as some possibilities. The cartridge filtration system 10 may also include drains, and/or other fluid connections, which may or may not provide additional fluid flow communication between the chambers UC, DC.

[0050] The embodiments described in this document provide non-limiting examples of possible implementations of the present technology. Upon review of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present technology. For instance, in the depicted embodiment, the inlet 14 is defined in the main body 11 of the cartridge filtration system 10 and the outlet 15 is defined in the cap 12. Other locations and flow direction may be contemplated in other embodiments, such as both in the main body 11 at spaced apart locations from one another. The cartridge filtration system 10 may also include drains, and/or other fluid connections for instance. The cartridge filtration system 10 may be supported by legs (not shown) or other types of support. Although the cartridge filtration system 10 is shown as standing in an upright configuration, with the cap 12 mounted at a top of the main body 11 defining a bottom portion of the cartridge filtration system 10 relative to the cap 12, other filter housing orientation may be contemplated, such as a horizontal configuration. The cartridge filtration system 10 may be as high as it is wide in some embodiments. The number of cartridge assemblies 100 may vary depending on the embodiments of the cartridge filtration system 10, and their respective sizes and/or geometries may be different, the cartridge filtration system 10 may include more than one filter stage and/or more than two chambers, or sub-chambers. The orientation of the flow within the cartridge filtration system 10 may be reversed (upstream chamber UC may become the downstream chamber DC, and vice versa), The number and/or sizes of inlet 14 and outlet 15, or the geometry and/or length of the cartridge filtration system 10, of the cartridge filtration system 10 may vary, for instance. Other variants of the filter cartridges 110 may be contemplated, e.g. longer, larger, segmented instead of one elongated piece, etc. The cartridge filtration system 10, cartridge assemblies 100 and components thereof may find application with other fluids than water.

[0051] Yet further modifications could be implemented by a person of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure, which modifications would be within the scope of the present technology.