Abstract: A macroporous support is disclosed, the permeability of the support varying in the direction of flow of a fluid to be treated, mean porosity increasing in the direction of flow. A method for preparing it and its use for cross-flow filtration are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid treatment module, particularly for treating ultra-pure fluids by separation or catalytic treatment having at least one treatment membrane in a porous sintered material comprises a rigid tube casing, a rigid compression plate at one or each end thereof having a coating compatible with the fluid(s) to be treated and at least one compensating plate able to slide on the coating, the dimensions and thickness of the compensating plate being set to ensure the module remains sealed over a complete temperature range at which the module is designed to operate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a module for filtering, separating, purifying gases or liquids, or for catalytic conversion, comprising:- a substantially cylindrical housing (13),- at least one rigid element (4) of which at least one end (5) is substantially cylindrical and whose axis is parallel to that of the housing (13),- at least one elastically deformable metal part in the form of a ring (6), fixed firstly to the housing (13) and connected secondly to said end (5) of said element (4), characterized in that the joint between said ring (6) and said end (5) of said element (4) is a hoop fitting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a module for filtering, separating, purifying gases or liquids, or for catalytic conversion, including:a substantially cylindrical housing (13),at least one rigid element (4) of which at least one end (5) is substantially cylindrical and whose axis is parallel to that of the housing (13),at least one elastically deformable metal part in the form of a ring (6), fixed firstly to the housing (13) and connected secondly to the end (5) of the element (4), characterized in that the joint between the ring (6) and the end (5) of the element (4) is a hoop fitting.

Abstract: A method of assembling a rigid element in a module, the rigid element having a membrane for separation, filtration, or catalytic transformation purposes. The outside shape of the element is substantially cylindrical or prismatic. The element is made from a support of sintered substance, the ends thereof are sealed, and an active layer is deposited thereon. The module is intended to contain at least one rigid element within a shell which is substantially cylindrical about an axis parallel to said rigid element and closed by two end plates having openings to which the ends of the elements are fixed, together with intervening seals. Each of the ends is provided with an extra thickness which is bonded to the support. The extra thickness mass is machined in such a manner as to obtain a shoulder whose outside surface has a predetermined circularly-symmetrical shape about an axis close to that of the element.

Abstract: A module (1) for rigid cylinder membrane elements (2) for separation, filtration, or catalytic transformation, the elements (2) being received in a vessel which is generally cylindrical and parallel thereto, and closed by a first end plate (4) and a second end plate (5) to which the ends of the elements (2) are fixed by means of seals (6,7). The end plates are interconnected by at least one spacer constituted by at least three juxtaposed oblong parts (10, 20, 30) made of materials selected for reducing the expansion differences that would otherwise occur on a change in the temperature of the vessel and its membrane elements.

Abstract: A filter module comprises a plurality of parallel substantially tubular filter elements each of which comprises a ceramic support. Two apertured end plates are attached to a protective casing and each filter element is fixed via flexible seals into respective apertures in these end plates. The module is assemble by a method which begins with molding the blanks from an elastomer material that is resistant to organic solvents and to corrosive liquids and has a Shore A hardness between 30 and 95 and an elastic elongation per unit length in excess of 10%. Each blank can have any form of outside surface and has an internal cavity with a surface matched to the ideal external shape of a filter element, except that its dimensions are slightly smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the filter element. The resulting blanks are then fitted onto the ends of the filter elements.

Abstract: An assembly of a tubular filter member (2) inside an envelope (5) surrounding the member includes a gasket (9) of elastomer or polymer material disposed at at least one of the ends of the filter member and of the envelope in between the outside surface of the filter member and the inside surface of the envelope.The outside surface of the filter member is provided over at least a portion of its surface area facing the gasket with roughnesses (11) or projections or hollows of sufficient size and number to prevent the filter element from sliding longitudinally relative to the gasket.Such an assembly is applicable to microfiltration, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis.