Carbon Steel Membrane Rack

A carbon steel membrane rack is a membrane module bearing device made of Q235 carbon steel as the base material, with the surface treated by epoxy spraying, rubber lining, or anti-corrosion coating. It is mainly used to fix and support membrane elements/modules such as reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF), and microfiltration (MF) membranes. Meanwhile, it integrates pipeline interfaces, sealing structures, and fixing clamps to ensure the stable operation of the membrane separation system throughout the entire process of filtration, backwashing, and chemical cleaning.

Featuring low cost, high mechanical strength, and strong bearing capacity, this equipment is suitable for water treatment scenarios with moderate cleanliness requirements and large treatment scales, such as municipal reclaimed water reuse, industrial wastewater treatment, and large water purification plants, serving as a cost-effective supporting component in membrane separation systems. Its structure can be designed into horizontal, vertical, or skid-mounted types according to membrane module specifications (e.g., 4040, 8040, flat-sheet membranes), directly affecting the operational stability of membrane modules, the convenience of maintenance, and the initial investment cost of the project.

The core functions of a carbon steel membrane rack are high-strength bearing, flow channel optimization, and anti-corrosion protection, which are closely coordinated with the sieving/permeation principle of membrane separation. Specifically, they are reflected in three aspects:

High-Strength Bearing and Damage Prevention Principle: The carbon steel base material has excellent tensile and compressive strength. Through welded card slots, end plates, and beam structures, the membrane rack can bear the weight of multiple pressure vessels or membrane modules, offset the axial thrust and radial tension generated by fluid impact during operation, prevent membrane element displacement and membrane rack deformation, and ensure the stable interception efficiency of membrane separation.

Flow Channel Optimization and Energy Reduction Principle: The water distribution plates and main water collection pipes of the membrane rack are accurately connected to the water inlet and outlet ports of the membrane modules, realizing uniform distribution of feed water and independent diversion of concentrated and fresh water. This reduces system frictional resistance, lowers the operating energy consumption of high-pressure pumps/suction pumps, avoids local dead zones, reduces the risk of membrane module fouling, and extends the filtration cycle.

Anti-Corrosion Protection and Adaptation Principle: The anti-corrosion layers (such as epoxy spraying and rubber lining) on the surface of the carbon steel base material can withstand weakly acidic and alkaline working conditions with a pH value of 4-9 and ordinary water treatment environments. They isolate direct contact between water and the carbon steel base material to prevent rust and corrosion of the base material. The smooth surface of the anti-corrosion layer can also reduce impurity adhesion, facilitating daily cleaning and maintenance of the membrane rack.

Carbon steel membrane racks can be divided into multiple series according to compatible membrane types and structural forms. The core parameters and characteristics are as follows:
1. Classification by Compatible Membrane Type

• Carbon Steel RO Membrane Rack: Compatible with 4040/8040 specification spiral-wound RO membrane elements and pressure vessels, adopting a horizontal pressure-bearing structure with a pressure resistance rating of 1.0-2.5MPa. A single rack can accommodate 1-8 pressure vessels. The end plates are made of thickened carbon steel through welding, with an epoxy spraying thickness of ≥200μm on the surface, which can offset the axial thrust during high-pressure operation. Suitable for working conditions such as municipal reclaimed water reuse and industrial wastewater desalination, its cost is only 50%-60% of that of stainless steel membrane racks of the same specification.
• Carbon Steel UF Membrane Rack: Divided into pressure-type and submerged-type: the pressure-type is compatible with 4040/8040 hollow fiber UF membrane modules, with a pressure resistance of 0.6MPa; the submerged-type is compatible with 10-20㎡ flat-sheet UF membrane modules, integrated with aeration interfaces, and produces water through negative pressure suction. The surface anti-corrosion layer has strong weather resistance, suitable for large-flow working conditions such as quality upgrading and renovation of municipal sewage treatment plants and printing and dyeing wastewater reuse.
• Carbon Steel MF Membrane Rack: Compatible with tubular and hollow fiber MF membrane modules, featuring a simple structure and strong bearing capacity. Suitable for pretreatment of high-turbidity raw water (such as river water and lake water purification), it can effectively intercept suspended solids, algae, and other impurities.

2. Classification by Structural Form

• Horizontal Carbon Steel Membrane Rack: The mainstream industrial structure, with membrane modules installed horizontally, facilitating loading and unloading and stable operation. Compatible with medium and large membrane separation systems (water production ≥100m³/h), it can be designed into single-stage/multi-stage series structures, widely used in municipal, chemical, metallurgical, and other fields.
• Vertical Carbon Steel Membrane Rack: Membrane modules are installed vertically, occupying a small area. Suitable for small membrane systems (water production 30-100m³/h) or scenarios with limited space (such as industrial park wastewater treatment stations). Its disadvantage is that the loading and unloading difficulty of membrane modules is slightly higher than that of horizontal structures.
• Skid-Mounted Carbon Steel Membrane Rack: Integrates membrane rack, pressure vessels, pipelines, valves, and instruments into one unit, prefabricated in the factory. It can operate on-site only by connecting pipelines and power supply, with an installation cycle of ≤5 days. Suitable for large temporary water treatment projects (such as construction site circulating water and mining area wastewater treatment).

With its cost-effectiveness and high bearing capacity, carbon steel membrane racks are widely used in medium and large water treatment projects:

1. Core Product Features

2. Practical Application Effects

Would you like me to help you sort out a carbon steel membrane rack selection comparison table that integrates key parameters and application scenarios for quick reference?