Abstract: Membrane module for testing active substances in cells with an interior chamber (2) which is limited by a lid (3), a bottom (4), and a side wall (5) and a system of first capillary membranes (6) and a system of second capillary membranes (11) located therein and possibly additional systems of capillary membranes, whereby the capillary membranes in interior chamber (2) are arranged in at least one flat layer parallel to bottom (4) and in interior chamber (2) in the extracapillary space a cell culture chamber is formed around the capillary membranes, whereby the capillary membranes have a lumen that can be filled with a fluid, are passing with at least one of its ends through the side wall (5) of interior chamber (2) and are embedded at this end separated by systems in a casting material (9, 10) so that interior chamber (2) is sealed fluid-tight from the outside, and whereby the capillary membranes of each system are in a fluid connection with their lumens with an inlet device (7) and/or an outlet device (8), a

Abstract: A hollow fiber module with at least one bundle of hollow fibers made in a U shape, in which each hollow fiber bundle comprises at least two part bundles of different average lengths, the hollow fibers arranged essentially in the form of layers at least in the region of the bend of the U shape, the layers extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the module, the longitudinal axes of the layers and the longitudinal axis of the module approximately coinciding and the layers forming an angle between them when viewed longitudinally. An apparatus and process for making the hollow fiber module are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing hollow fiber piles, at least one hollow fiber strand is wound spirally onto a rotating drum having a polygonal cross section to form superimposed hollow fiber layers thereon, forming a hollow fiber roll on the drum. Once the desired number of hollow fiber layers has been formed on the rotating drum, segments of a desired shape are separated from substantially planar regions of the hollow fiber roll. Simultaneously, or immediately following this separation, adjacent end regions of the hollow fibers are connected with one another at least spotwise.

Abstract: A hollow fiber module with at least one bundle of hollow fibers made in a U shape, in which each hollow fiber bundle comprises at least two part bundles of different average lengths, the hollow fibers arranged essentially in the form of layers at least in the region of the bend of the U shape, the layers extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the module, the longitudinal axes of the layers and the longitudinal axis of the module approximately coinciding and the layers forming an angle between them when viewed longitudinally. An apparatus and process for making the hollow fiber module are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mass and/or heat exchanger includes at least one bundle of capillaries, the ends of which are embedded in a casting composition, and a housing in which the capillaries with the casting composition are arranged in such a way that the casting composition represents a liquid-tight isolation between the lumens of the capillaries and the space outside the capillaries. An elastic element which compensates for differences in changes of length of the at least one bundle of capillaries and the housing, is provided between the casting composition and the housing.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus wherein an insert, preferably made of plastic and preferably allowing a melt-on bonding with the tubes and whose floor has a traversing opening for each tube, is inserted into the first part of the injection mold (top mold or bottom mold) as a positioning element for the tubes in such a manner that the insert is at least partially locked or secured into the first part of the injection mold. A tube is then placed in each opening of the insert. A mandrel is then placed in each tube, whereupon the injection mold is locked in such a manner that, if necessary, the mandrels are locked into the second part of the injection mold (bottom mold or top mold). A molten thermoplastic material is then injected, via a sprue provided in the injection mold, into a cavity formed by the injection mold, the insert and the tube ends.

Abstract: A method for the bubble-free feed of gaseous reactants of a chemical and/or biological reaction into a liquid reaction medium, characterized by filling the pores of a porous polymer membrane with the reaction medium, providing one side of the porous polymer membrane with the gaseous reactants, and immersing the other side of the porous polymer membrane into the liquid reaction medium. The pressure of the gaseous reactants should lie below the bubble pressure determined for the reaction medium, but be at least so great that the liquid reaction medium does not pass through the porous polymer membrane to the gas side. Preferred parameters include relative pore volume between 50 and 90%; maximal pore diameter between 0.2 and 3 .mu.m; and disposing the porous polymer membrane in the form of a flat membrane, tube or hollow filaments.

Abstract: Arrangement for heat and/or mass transfer between a minimum of two liquids, effected by means of hollow fibers, the open ends of which are imbedded in a casting compound and which hollow fibers are located in the form of hollow fiber modules within a housing, wherein an intermediate ring and gaskets are provided between the housing and the casting compound beds of the hollow fiber module. A bore in the housing allows in case of a defective gasket that leaking liquid may drain to the outside, whereby short circuiting between the different liquid chambers of the housing will be prevented. The intermediate ring may be present as lose component or may, also, be fixedly connected to the face plates of the housing or the housing jacket. A plurality of hollow fiber modules may be arranged within a common housing. The hollow fiber module may be surrounded by a perforated supporting tube. The arrangement is particularly suitable for cross-flow filtration.