Vibratory Shear Enhanced Process System

New Logic's VSEP membrane system removes 100% of all suspended solids from whitewater or effluent streams replacing fresh water requirements in the paper mill. Dissolved solids separation is also possible for the machine loop, or for the effluent treatment plant. The VSEP (vibratory shear enhanced process) system's patented membrane filtration technology is designed to be non-fouling. It consists of two primary elements, a membrane filter pack and a torsion spring assembly on which the pack is mounted. The membrane pack is made up of leaf elements arrayed as parallel discs and separated by gaskets. The disk stack is oscillated above a torsion spring that moves the stack back and forth approximately 1 ¼-in. peak to peak. The oscillation produces a shear rate at the membrane surface of about 150,000 inverse seconds, according to the company, which is approximately ten times the shear rate of conventional crossflow systems. The shear in this system is focused at the membrane surface to prevent fouling. Because the product does not depend on the shearing forces of the feed flow, the feed slurry can become viscous and still be dewatered successfully. Systems can be run in a single pass through the machine, eliminating the need for working tanks and associated valving.