The VSEP filtration system consists of 6 major components: the VSEP (Frame, Drive System, Plumbing), Filter Pack, Interconnecting Piping, Feed Pump Skid, and Metering Pump Skid (with Cleaning Chemical Totes). For complete specifications, please visit the corresponding product page.
Frame
A 2″ tubular steel construction is used with an epoxy powder coat to assure resistance to chemicals and weather. The Frame provides structural support and vibration dampening for the Drive System, Plumbing, and Filter Pack.
Drive System
This patented system includes a 10-20 horse power motor which drives an eccentric weight and seismic mass, which in turn translates the energy through the torsion spring into the Filter Pack.
Plumbing
Teflon reinforced flex hoses and stainless steel are used to assure maximum compatibility with most solvents, caustics and acids, and vibration dampening for Interconnecting Piping.
Filter Packs
VSEP filter packs employ a filament-wound outer housing, membrane trays, stainless steel end plates, polypropylene or Kynar permeate carriers and epoxy resins. The membrane trays consist of a stainless steel disc, drainage cloth and the membrane. The trays are separated by metal spacers and rubber gaskets, which provide the spacing for the feed to flow over the trays. The assembly is compressed so that the gaskets form a seal to prevent eaking. New Logic offers in its filter packs virtually every type of membrane made today including: acrylic; nylon; polyacrylonitrial (PAN); polypropylene; polysulfone; polycarbonate; PVDF (Kynar); stainless steel; Teflon; thin-film composites; Tyvek and others. Most of these membranes have a wide range of pore sizes to choose from ensuring the optimum separation for any application.
At one extreme, reverse osmosis membranes reject most dissolved compounds, including salts, while allowing water molecules to pass. Nanofiltration membranes are used to reject molecules of sizes ranging from 1 to 100 M.W. (these are sometimes referred to as water softening membranes) while Ultrafiltration membranes can reject molecules of sizes ranging from 100 to 1 million M.W.). Microfilters with pore sizes ranging from 0.1 micron to 10 microns are also available as are woven screens with 1 micron pore size to standard mesh sizes used for coarse separations.
The standard modular size of a VSEP System is 100 to 1,500 square feet composed of discs with a 19 inch (48 cm) active diameter. Each disc element is manufactured and quality-assured by New Logic.
Interconnecting Piping
A network of piping transfers feed or cleaning solution to the VSEP Filter Pack from the Feed Pump Skid, and then back as Permeate (clean) and Concentrate (reject) streams. This piping also includes flexible hoses that help dampen VSEP vibration from being transferred back to the Feed Pump Skid.
Feed pump Skid
This skid includes mounted pumps, piping, valves, instrumentation, cleaning tank, meshed bag filters, and electrical controls. The feed pumps are also used to pump cleaning solution from the cleaning tank to the VSEP Filter Pack. Valves are used to change destinations between cleaning and feed. Instrumentation is used for system status and for alarms that protect the filter pack.
The electrical circuitry contains two enclosures; one for electrical components and one for solenoid air valves. There are also motor speed controllers, which are solid state control device used to run the vibration drive motor, and feed pump motors. The speed of the motor controls the vibration amplitude, and feed pressure. The control circuitry cabinet contains the PLC programmable logic controller, HMI touch display, and the AC and DC control circuitry.
Metering Pump Skid
This skid includes mounted chemical dosing pumps and tubing and stands over chemical totes. This allows for automatic transfer of cleaning chemicals to the Feed Pump Skid cleaning tank. The run time of these pumps is controlled by timers in the programmable logic controller.
Control System
Operation of the VSEP Series i system is automated by the PLC. The bulk flow passes through a coarse bag filter prior to entering the VSEP system to ensure large particles (bigger than beach sand) are removed.
The feed water then flows to the VSEP module. The water is fed through the top of the filter pack, the permeate (clean water) exits the top of the filter pack and the concentrate (rejected material) exits the system through a pipe at the bottom of the filter pack. A valve on the concentrate exit is throttled to maintain the proper recovery level (amount of clean water recovered as a percentage of the total).
Once or more times per week, the PLC takes the VSEP module offline for a cleaning. By controlling the air-actuated valves, the PLC rinses the filter packs with warm water, then and then meters approximately seven gallons of concentrated chemical cleaning solution into a 300 gallon clean-in-place (CIP) tank mounted on the VSEP CIP skid. The dilute cleaning solution is fed through the filter pack, and the first 10% of the flow is diverted to drain. This 10% will contain roughly 90% of the potential foulants within the filter pack. The remaining 90% of the solution is recirculated for 30 minutes. The PLC then initiates a warm water rinse, after which the second cleaner is metered into the tank and the cleaning process is repeated. After a final warm water rinse, the module goes back online.
The VSEP system does not require a dedicated operator. The PLC controls all important aspects of the VSEP operation and will shut down upon any alarm-inducing conditions. The VSEP PLC can monitor tanks and equipment before and after the VSEP system to prevent overflows, etc. The operator is required to make routine checks to the system at regular intervals. See the Preventative Maintenance section of the Appendix for further information.