Abstract: A reverse osmosis system is subject to long periods of non-use in which water stands inside. A hollow-cylindrical spiral-wound type reverse osmosis membrane is disposed inside a cylindrical pressure vessel. An electrostatic-field generator is disposed inside the pressure vessel. A high voltage direct current source powers the electrostatic-field generator and a voltage gradient is constantly produced inside the volume of the pressure vessel. Such gradients cut through the fabric of the reverse osmosis membrane layers. The voltage to the electrostatic-field generator is kept on at all times, and prevents biofouling, even during lay-up periods. Current flow through the electrostatic-field generator is insignificant because it acts as a high-Z capacitor.

Abstract: A spiral wound filtration cartridge construction is provided which includes a cartridge positioned within a solid outer cylinder which, in turn is positioned within a solid outer cylinder which, in turn is positioned within a solid housing. Fluid flows within the space between the outer cylinder and housing is controlled by a ring and flexible chevron construction. The chevron construction includes outer peripheral holes, the sizes and number of which are set to determine by-pass flow.

Abstract: A sealer holding member for a membrane element is disposed at an end of a spiral-type membrane element on an outer circumference thereof, and allows a feed to flow into a membrane end of the membrane element. The sealer holding member includes a first annular portion, an annular projection, a second annular portion, and a third annular portion arranged in this order. The first annular portion is engaged with an outer-covering member for the membrane element and receives an end of the membrane element without contacting a side of the membrane element. The second annular portion receives a sealer on an outside thereof.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus and method for filtering a stream. The apparatus comprises a rotor that contains an inlet for the stream and an array of cavities operatively arranged to receive the stream from the impeller. The rotor member further includes membranes, operatively positioned within the array of cavities, for separating the impurities from the stream, and a permeate outlet for delivering a permeate from the rotor. A drive member is included for rotating the rotor so that the stream is exposed to a centrifugal force. In one preferred embodiment, the rotor contains a baffle plate to distribute the stream about the inner portion and an impeller vane adapted to receive the stream.

Abstract: A seal ring holder for membrane elements which is capable of attaining an increase in the area of membranes packed per element; and a membrane element using the seal ring holder, are provided.

Abstract: A sanitary filtration plant including an oblong, tubular pressure vessel having one or more helical filter elements. Each helical filter element has a spiral-wound filter member and a central tube and, at an outlet end, a supporting structure formed as a wheel with a hub, spokes and a rim. The plane side of the downstream face of each supporting structure is provided with a plurality of recesses that are positioned between an opening between the spokes and the external periphery of the rim and extend circumferentially so as to be substantially concentric with said rim.

Abstract: Cross flow filtration cartridges are made using semipermeable membrane of sheet formation that was cast upon an integral polymeric fibrous support material which exhibits excellent permeate flow in the plane thereof and serves as both backing material and permeate carrier. A fibrous support having a thickness between about 0.4 mm and about 2 mm and at least one surface region with a mean pore size no greater than about 300 microns has a semipermeable membrane cast in situ thereupon from a liquid solution. After gelling to form a polymeric semipermeable membrane, the product is spirally wound about a porous tube in association with feed-passageway-providing sheet material, but in the absence of any separate permeate carrier, to form an effective cross-flow filtration cartridge wherein the feed flow may be spiral and the permeate discharge through one of the side edges.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to feed spacers used in various filtration membrane modules, such as in spiral wound membranes, used in cross-flow filtration. Such spacers have an influence in promoting the mixing between the bulk of the fluid and the fluid element adjacent to the membrane surface so as to keep the membrane surface relatively clean. To optimize these properties, novel spacer designs are disclosed having a plurality of rows of elongated strands, the strands in each row being arranged substantially in parallel to one another, with adjacent rows being attached and disposed at an angle to one another, the strands of at least one row when viewed in cross-section having a central portion of a width smaller than the width of its extremities. Novel membrane modules incorporating such feed spacers are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a spiral-wound membrane module design for various membrane filtration techniques having significantly reduced fluid flow resistance in the feed stream path. Specifically, the inventive spiral-wound membrane module is designed having a corrugated entrance and exit spacers together over less than 10% of the length of the spiral wound module and a stiffener sheet wound to provide for uniform feed channel gap width.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane element allowing back wash reverse filtration at 0.05 MPa to 0.3 MPa is employed for a spiral wound membrane module. Air injection of injecting air of not more than 0.3 MPa into a permeate outlet of the spiral wound membrane module from a pressurized air feeder through a pipe, back wash reverse filtration with permeate and flushing with raw water are performed as recovery of a filtration velocity. Another spiral wound membrane module comprises a spiral wound membrane element including a separation membrane having high back pressure strength. Raw water into which bubbles are diffused by an air diffuser is fed to the spiral wound membrane element stored in a pressure vessel. Part of the raw water is axially fed through the spiral wound membrane element, discharged from a raw water outlet of the pressure vessel and thereafter returned to a raw water tank through a pipe.

Abstract: A membrane module for a device used to separate substance mixtures in a cross current method includes a number of tubular membranes which encircle, at least in sections, a common axis in an essentially helical manner and which are provided for forming an essentially disk shaped module. At least two of the tubular membranes encircle a common spiral axis in a helical manner, the membranes being preferably twisted like a cable, at least along the progression of a part of their essentially helical encircling in order to form a tubular membrane strand.

Abstract: A filter cartridge assembly intended for replaceable installation in a demountable cartridge housing includes in one embodiment, a retaining ring that is attached to the product water tube of the filter cartridge, is inserted with the cartridge into the housing, and is locked to the housing such that, upon subsequent removal of the housing to change the cartridge, the cartridge will be forced from sealing engagement with the end cap header and caused to remain in the housing until the housing has been removed. The integral retaining ring and cartridge are then simply unlocked and removed from the housing for replacement. Brine ring embodiments that are welded to the housing or attached to the housing with a snap-in connection are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing single and multi-layered coiled hollow fiber bundles for use in separation modules whose performance can be predicted, said modules being designed to take advantage of the benefits of Dean vortices. The present invention is also directed to multi-layered coiled hollow fiber bundles for use in separation modules that are directly scalable because each layer performs substantially equivalently to the other layers when subjected to a fluid of a certain velocity such that Dean vortices are created.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus for filtration of water from hydrocarbons comprised of a fresh-feed inlet, a first dead end filter, that is hydrophobic, a second sweeping-flow filter, that is hydrophobic, a common housing containing both the first and second filters, a system for the recirculation of the retentate, a chamber for water settling, and an outlet for clean fuel permeate. This invention takes advantage of the properties of the functional groups of a surfactant, by using the surfactant to allow a hydrophobic medium to attract water, attach the water molecules to the hydrophobic medium, and then allow for agglomeration of the water molecules, which finally become large enough to detach and be swept away by the sweeping-flow. This invention can thus be used to remove high concentrations of water, up to 5%, in hydrocarbons, while allowing a high flow rate by preventing blockage of the final filter by water.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane filtration module is operated with a single pass through the feed side and without cross-flow on the permeate side. Recovery is 70% or more and feed side velocities are between 0.05 and 0.4 feet per second. The module may have dams in the spacer material on the shell/feed side to provide a feed path with multiple passes across the membrane leaves. A small-scale system for using such a module, for example to soften and filter water with a nanofiltration membrane, is described. The system includes a chemical cleaning apparatus and process.

Abstract: A spiral separation membrane element effective in reducing the pressure loss around core tube perforated parts, which is problematic especially in low-pressure operations.

Abstract: A spiral separation membrane element which can attain a reduced pressure loss in the permeation-side passage and is effective especially when the feed-side pressure is low, is disclosed. The spiral separation membrane element comprises a perforated core tube and, wound therearound, one or more separation membranes, one or more feed-side passage materials, and one or more permeation-side passage materials, wherein the permeation-side passage materials each have warps 1 extending almost parallel with the direction of flow of a permeated liquid and wefts 2 fixed to the warps 1, a ratio of a pitch (width of each warp+distance between the opposed sides of adjacent warps) to a distance between the opposed sides of adjacent warps (w2/w1) is 1.1/1 to 3/1, and a ratio of a thickness of the passage material to a distance between the opposed sides of adjacent warps (t/w1) is 0.25/1 to 1.25/1.

Abstract: A spiral separation membrane element which can attain a reduced pressure loss in the feed-side passage and is difficult to encounter the problem of flow inhibition or clogging in the feed-side passage. The spiral separation membrane element comprises a perforated cored central tube and, wound therearound, one or more separation membranes, one or more feed-side passage materials, and one or more permeation-side passage materials, wherein the feed-side passage materials each have warps 1 extending almost parallel with the direction of flow of a feed liquid and wefts 2 which are thinner than the warps 1, and a ratio of a pitch of the warps L1 to a pitch of the wefts L2 being from 1/1.5 to 1/6.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filtering and separating a flow medium by way of membranes disposed in a pressurized housing, which has an inlet for supplying the flow medium to the housing and outlets for discharging the retentate and the permeate from the housing, the membrane structure comprises a central permeate collection and discharge structure to which a plurality of membrane pillows are connected so as to extend therefrom in a spiral pattern and each membrane pillow is in communication with a permeate inlet opening in the permeate collection and discharge structure through which permeate is conducted out of the membrane pillow into the central permeate collection and discharge structure and to the retentate outlet.

Abstract: A system (11) for providing purified water comprises a plurality of individual modules, each of which includes a separable head (13) and a canister (17), which modules are joined one to another via these heads to create a composite manifold (15). The heads and canisters are respectively of substantially identical construction, and the hollow canisters include the following units: preheater, prefilter (25), pump (27), membrane purification (29), postfilter (31), and UV treatment. The overall system is monitored by a control unit (131) that is regularly interrogated by an off-site, headquarters computer, and both the control unit (131) and the headquarters computer are proactive in detecting potential difficulties that may be able to be readily remedied by promptly dispatching a serviceperson with a replacement for the canister containing the operating unit that requires replacement.

Abstract: A process for spiral membrane element production is disclosed which attains high productivity, eliminates the material “wrinkling” or “breakage” caused by material distortion or core tube distortion, and can increase the degree of tightening of the whole element. The process includes a step in which a multilayer structure including a feed-side passage material interposed between opposed membranes on their feed side and a permeation-side passage material interposed between opposed membranes on their permeation side is spirally wound on a perforated core tube, wherein the winding of the multilayer structure on the core tube is conducted by rotating the core tube 5 while pressing one or more rolls 15 against the periphery of the wound structure R1.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane filtration element capable of being back-flushed has a permeate carrier sheet; a permeable membrane filter layer sheet adhesively bonded to the permeate carrier sheet, and a feed spacer sheet. The membrane filter layer sheet folds over the feed spacer so that the feed spacer sheet is sandwiched between two layers of the membrane filter layer sheet. The sandwich positions over the permeate carrier sheet such that the adhesive seal bonds the membrane filter layer sheet to the permeate carrier sheet. The permeate carrier sheet, the membrane filter layer sheet, and the feed spacer sheet are wrapped around a permeate collection tube.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane module comprises a spiral wound membrane element including a separation membrane having high back pressure strength. In filtration running, raw water introduced from a raw water inlet of a pressure vessel is subjected to dead end filtration, and permeate is taken out from a permeate outlet. In washing, wash water containing a chemical having a contaminant separating function is introduced from an end of a water collection pipe through the permeate outlet for performing back wash reverse filtration with a back pressure of 0.05 to 0.3 MPa. The filtration running is temporarily stopped for maintaining the pressure vessel in a state sealed with the raw water and the permeate for a prescribed time. Thus, contaminants adhering to the membrane surface of the spiral wound membrane element are separated. A treatment system is formed by connecting units comprising spiral wound membrane modules in parallel with each other.

Abstract: Cross flow filtration cartridges are made using semipermeable membrane of sheet formation that was cast upon an integral polymeric fibrous support material which exhibits excellent permeate flow in the plane thereof and serves as both backing material and permeate carrier. A fibrous support having a thickness between about 0.4 mm and about 2 mm and at least one surface region with a mean pore size no greater than about 300 microns has a semipermeable membrane cast in situ thereupon from a liquid solution. After gelling to form a polymeric semipermeable membrane, the product is spirally wound about a porous tube in association with feed-passageway-providing sheet material, but in the absence of any separate permeate carrier, to form an effective cross-flow filtration cartridge wherein the feed flow may be spiral and the permeate discharge through one of the side edges.

Abstract: A filter for filtering blood includes a coiled core with a hollow center. The core has only two layers that are coiled atop one another, the two layers being a blood filter layer and a spacer layer where blood flows more easily through the spacer layer than through the filter layer. An outer side of one of the spacer layer, and the filter layer defines an outer circumference of the core. The filter and spacer layers are coiled so that both sides of the filter layer directly contact respective sides of the spacer layer. A casing for the core has a blood inlet in fluid communication with the outer circumference of the core and a blood outlet in fluid communication with the hollow center. Blood entering the inlet travels to the outlet within the spacer layer and transversely across the filter and spacer layers.

Abstract: A filtration membrane and method of making the same wherein the filtration membrane comprises obstructions and/or spacers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hydration bag for providing potable or even sterile water from contaminated water sources. Specifically, there is disclosed two embodiments of a passive membrane osmotic device. The first embodiment has an interior space sealed with one or two membrane walls, having an osmotic agent formulation within the interior space, and having direct osmotic concentration properties. The second embodiment has a sealable nutrient/osmotic agent chamber with a spiral wound membrane wrapped around the nutrient/osmotic agent chamber to form the membrane element, wherein the membrane element is located within a sealable dirty water compartment or within a dirty water source and wherein the membrane element communicates with a clean water compartment. More specifically, the osmotic agent or nutrient can be a partially dehydrated food source, a sugar, a medicine, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a spiral-wound membrane module design for various membrane filtration techniques having significantly reduced fluid flow resistance in the feed stream path. Specifically, the inventive spiral-wound membrane module is designed having a corrugated entrance and exit spacers together over less than 10% of the length of the spiral wound module and a stiffener sheet wound to provide for uniform feed channel gap width.

Abstract: Polylactic acid is produced from dimers of lactic acid in an energy saving manner by contacting a lactic acid source via an extraction membrane with an amine carrier solvent to extract lactic acid across the membrane. One or two membranes may be used. After extraction, the aminium lactate salt is crystallized, disassociated and purified.

Abstract: A spiral wound filtration cartridge construction is provided which includes a cartridge positioned within a solid outer cylinder which, in turn is positioned within a solid outer cylinder which, in turn is positioned within a solid housing. Fluid flows within the space between the outer cylinder and housing is controlled by a ring and flexible chevron construction. The chevron construction includes outer peripheral holes, the sizes and number of which are set to determine by-pass flow.

Abstract: A spiral reverse osmosis membrane element of the present invention includes a plurality of bag-shaped reverse osmosis membranes, permeated liquid passage members arranged inside the reverse osmosis membranes, and a plurality of feed liquid passage members interposed between the reverse osmosis membranes, those membranes and passage members being wound around an outer surface of a hollow pipe in a manner that only the interiors of the reverse osmosis membranes communicate with through-holes formed in the surface of the hollow pipe. Each of the feed liquid passage members is a mesh member having series of quadrilateral meshes formed by a plurality of linear members crossing each other. Two opposite cross-points out of four cross-points of each of the quadrilateral meshes are in line in parallel with an axial direction of the hollow pipe. And relations 2 mm≦X≦5 mm and X≦Y≦1.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved feed spacer, spiral wound element incorporating said feed spacer, filtration system and a method for making and using the same. In one embodiment the present invention includes an improved spiral wound element having: a central collection tube with a plurality of openings along its length to receive permeate; at least one filtration envelope extending outwardly from and wound about the tube and at least one feed spacer sheet wound about the collection tube wherein the feed spacer sheet being in planar contact with the outer surface of at least one filtration envelope.

Abstract: A spriral wound filtration cartridge construction is provided which includes a cartridge positioned within a solid outer cylinder which, in turn is positioned within a solid outer cylinder which, in turn is positioned within a solid housing. Fluid flows within the space between the outer cylinder and housing is controlled by a ring and flexible chevron construction. The chevron construction includes outer peripheral holes, the sizes and number of which are set to determine by-pass flow.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contactor for degassing a liquid. The contactor includes a perforated core and a microporous membrane fabric wrapped around the core. The fabric includes a polymethyl pentene hollow fiber as a weft fiber and a warp yarn. A tube sheet secures the ends of the wound fiber and a shell encases the tube sheet and fabric. The shell has at least one opening to permit fluid flow through the shell and an end cap. In a further embodiment the invention is directed to a contactor for degassing a liquid wherein the contactor is adapted to withstand pressures greater than 0.4 MPa and temperatures greater than 50° C.

Abstract: A permeable membrane system (10) for the separation of fluid components includes a laminated composition (12) having two sheets (14 and 16) formed from a polymer and positioned adjacent one another to form a fluid passage (18) therebetween. The outside surfaces (20 and 22) of the sheets (14 and 16) are permeable to allow fluid flow from the outside surface (20 and 22) to the fluid passage (18). The outside surface (20 and 22) of the laminated composition (12) includes a plurality of embossed islands spaced from one another to define feed pathways (26) around and between the embossed islands.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module to be used in industrial fields such as the semiconductor industry, food processing industry, pharmaceutical industry, and medical industry, and to a method for the production thereof. Permselective hollow fiber membranes having rigidity are cheese-wound in a plurality of layers, thereby forming a hollow fiber membrane bundle. One terminal part of this hollow fiber membrane bundle together with a case is adhered and solidified with a thermally molten mass of thermoplastic resin, thereby forming a solidified part. This solidified part is cut to form a sealed part serving to open terminal parts of the hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contactor for degrassing a liquid. The contractor includes a perforated core and a microporous membrane fabric wrapped around the core. The fabric includes a polymethyl pentene hollow fiber as a weft fiber and a warp yarn. A tube sheet secures the ends of the wound fiber and a shell encases the tube sheet and fabric. The shell has at least one opening to permit fluid flow through the shell and an end cap. In a further embodiment the invention is directed to a contactor for degrassing a liquid wherein the contactor is adapted to withstand pressures greater than 0.4 MPa and temperatures greater than 50° C.

Abstract: The present Application relates to a process for the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes from polyacrylonitrile using malic acid as additives, with said membrane of molecular weight ranging between 80 to 180K, showing high purification and water permeating ability.

Abstract: A package assembly comprising a sealed water-impermeable bag enclosing: a spiral wound filtration element comprising a piperazine-based membrane, and an aqueous solution comprises a substantially non-oxidizable buffer having capacity to sequester at least 0.0025 moles per liter of hydrogen ions. The assembly preferably further includes a reducing agent. The assembly provides improved preservation for piperazine-based membranes and elements incorporating such membranes.

Abstract: A spiral wound type separation membrane element includes a spiral wound type membrane component formed by superposing separation membranes of membrane materials supported on nonwoven fabric members on both surfaces of a permeated liquid passage forming member and bonding three sides with an adhesive thereby defining an envelope-like membrane, mounting an opening of the envelope-like membrane on a water collection pipe and bonding the same with an adhesive and spirally winding the envelope-like membrane around the outer peripheral surface of the water collection pipe along with a raw liquid passage forming member. The outer peripheral surface of the envelope-like membrane forming the spiral wound type membrane component is covered with a sheath member, and anti-telescopic members are mounted on both end surfaces of the envelope-like membrane respectively. Each of the aforementioned components forming the spiral wound type separation membrane element is made of heat-resistant alkali-resistant plastic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane module for a device used to separate substance mixtures in a cross current method. Said membrane module comprises, a number of tubular membranes (22, 24, 26) which encircle, at least in sections, a common axis in an essentially helicoidal manner and which are provided for forming an essentially discoidal module (20). The aim of the invention is to improve a module of this type. To this end, at least two of the tubular membranes (22, 24, 26) encircle a common spiral axis in a helical manner, said membranes being preferably twisted like a cable, at least along the progression of a part of their essentially helicoidal encircling in order to form a tubular membrane strand.

Abstract: Cast semi-permeable membranes made from synthetic polymer used in reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and microfiltration are treated with a non-leaching antimicrobial agent to prevent its bio-fouling and bacterial breakthrough. The semi-permeable membranes include a polymeric material and a non-leaching antimicrobial agent that is incorporated into and homogeneously distributed throughout the polymeric material. The polymeric material, in the case of one membrane, may be cellulose acetate. In the case of thin film composite polyamide membranes, the antimicrobial agent is incorporated in a microporous polysulfone layer that is sandwiched between a reinforcing fabric and an ultrathin polyamide material. The invention also includes a treatment of flat and hollow fiber semipermeable membranes made with polysulfones and polyvinylidene fluoride.

Abstract: A fouling-resistant permeate carrier for a reverse osmosis element, including a tricot knitted fabric and a resin system coated onto the knitted fabric, said resin system including a bisphenol-A/epichlorohydrin-based epoxy resin dispersion, a low molecular weight solid epoxy resin derived from a liquid epoxy resin, bisphenol-A, and a polymeric solid epoxy resin possessing an average epoxide group functionality of 8, a dispersant, a dicyandimide curing agent, a tertiary curing agent, and water for controlling the total percent of nonvolatiles. The dicyandimide may be 4.7-6.5 parts per hundred dicyandiamide and 1.5 parts per hundred of the tertiary curing agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a filter element in which an undesired fluid flow path through the filter element is blocked. The present invention is also directed to a method for producing such a filter element. In embodiments of the invention, the filter element may be a spiral wound filter element with a filter membrane. The desired flow path through the filter membrane may be through the lateral surface of the filter membrane, while an undesirable flow path may begin at a point on the cross-sectional face of the filter membrane. To prevent fluid from entering the filter membrane through the cross-sectional face, the pores of the filter membrane near the cross-sectional area may be sealed, for example, by filling the pores with a substance, such as a polymer.

Abstract: A separation end cap adapted for connecting adjacent separation elements is provided. The end cap may be located at the distal ends of a separation element and is adapted for connection with a permeate tube located within the separation element. In one embodiment the end cap includes an inner hub for receiving an O-ring to seal against an inner hub of an end cap on an adjacent separation element. The inner hub of the end cap may be spin-welded to the outer surface of the permeate tube. A locking structure on an outer hub of the end cap co-acts with a locking structure on an end cap of an adjacent separation element to releaseably lock the end caps and, therefore, adjacent separation elements. The locking structure preferably provides a predetermined axial force on the O-ring to seal the connection between permeate tubes of adjacent separation elements.

Abstract: An active fluid separation device for removing a constituent of a fluid mixture. The separation device formed from a first polymeric structured layer having a plurality of flow channels defined in one surface, and a selectively permeable fluid separation media covering at least some of the flow channels. An external source is also included to provide a potential over the flow channels to promote movement of the fluid through the separation media, thereby removing a constituent component of the fluid mixture. A manifold in fluid contact with the flow channels of the structured layer may also be used to operatively permit the source to provide the potential over the flow channels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a contactor for degrassing a liquid. The contractor includes a perforated core and a microporous membrane fabric wrapped around the core. The fabric includes a polymethyl pentene hollow fiber as a weft fiber and a warp yarn. A tube sheet secures the ends of the wound fiber and a shell encases the tube sheet and fabric. The shell has at least one opening to permit fluid flow through the shell and an end cap. In a further embodiment the invention is directed to a contactor for degrassing a liquid wherein the contactor is adapted to withstand pressures greater than 0.4 MPa and temperatures greater than 50° C.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of composite reverse osmosis membrane modules arranged in multi-stages, each of the modules including a porous support and a polyamide skin layer formed on the porous support. In this apparatus, the module at the final stage is supplied with some of permeated water obtained from at least one module preceding the module at the final-stage, and a rest of the permeated water is discharged from or recovered in the apparatus along with permeated water obtained from the final-stage module.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane element is formed by covering a spiral membrane component prepared by winding a plurality of independent or continuous envelope-like membranes around the outer peripheral surface of a water collection pipe through raw water spacers with a separation membrane and further covering the same with an outer peripheral passage forming material. In washing, permeate containing a chemical is introduced from an opening end of the water collection pipe while the permeate derived from the outer peripheral surface of the water collection pipe is discharged from at least the outer peripheral side of the spiral wound type membrane element and raw water is axially fed along the outer peripheral portion of the spiral wound type membrane element. In filtration running, the raw water in which bubbles are diffused by an air diffuser may be supplied to the spiral wound membrane element stored in a pressure vessel.

Abstract: A new sanitary filter element is described which provides a structure which cannot harbor contaminants and is readily and thoroughly cleaned as needed. The new device utilizes a uniquely configured adhesive component and membrane and tricot channel sheets which are significantly trimmed in size following adhesive curing. Such configuration eliminates structures within the filter where bacterial and other contamination, or materials which support such contaminants, can accumulate. In addition, a novel cage structure provides turbulent fluid flow while having improved strength and furnishes a site for permanent identification indicia. Finally, an improved step in the manufacturing process, in which a temporary separation sheet is positioned between the membrane and the feed spacer, prevents the occurrence of random unwanted contact adhesions between the two before and during the curing of the adhesive bonding membranes and their adjacent tricot channeling sheets.