Abstract: A modular membrane filtration device is provided with replaceable membrane elements. The device is designed for ease of cleaning or replacing the membrane elements during filtration of a feed liquid to remove suspended solids. The cleaning may be effected by continuous aeration or by application of air as intermittent pressurized pulses. The device preferably has two headers, at least one of which is a permeate collection header having receptacles for a plurality of membrane elements, each of which is a potted hollow fiber membrane bundle. The potted hollow fiber membrane bundles are distinct entities which may be inserted into the receptacles, preferably in rows of circular slots, on the permeate collection header(s), and may be easily removed for maintenance, such as for replacement of the hollow fiber membrane elements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing hollow fiber membrane-containing filters. The methods include laying a plurality of hollow fibers in a first portion of a filter housing to form a bundle, forming first and second portions into a filter housing, sealing the portions together, connecting the plurality of hollow fibers together at at least one end of the filter housing, connecting the hollow fibers to the filter housing, and simultaneously adhering the first and second portions of the filter housing together by applying a potting compound thereto, and cutting the ends of the hollow fibers at at least one end thereof, whereby the hollow fibers include open ends.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module comprising a module housing, a hollow fiber membrane bundle comprising a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, at least one end portion of the bundle being fixed on the housing through a flexible potting material, and a rib or ring embedded in the potting portion, the rib or ring being fixed on an inner wall of the housing, and the rib or ring being embedded in the potting portion without directly contacting the hollow fiber membrane, and the filtration method using the same. The hollow fiber membrane module can maintain a practical pressure resistance.

Abstract: A filtering element has ultrafiltration or microfiltration hollow fiber membranes extending horizontally between a pair of opposed horizontally spaced, vertically extending headers. Side plates extending between the pair of vertically extending headers define a vertical flow channel through the element. Modules are created by placing the elements in place without obstructing the vertical flow channels. Each element may be released from the frame, however, and removed by sliding it in a direction substantially normal to its headers without disassembling the remainder of the module. The elements have associated releasable water tight fittings between the elements and a permeate collector, the releasable water tight fittings being releasable by removing an element from the frame. An aerator below the module has a plurality of air holes located to provide a line of air holes below each element or below a side plate between each pair of elements.

Abstract: Transducer-protector device for biomedical haemodialysis lines comprising a first and a second element each of which is formed in a single piece of moulded plastic material with a tubular fitting and an annular radial flange. The first element is formed with a semi-crystalline polymer and the related annular radial flange has greatly thinner portions able to allow the see-through viewing of the filtering membrane secured between the flanges of the first and of the second element.

Abstract: A filter device has two flow paths. The first flow path having at least one cap and fluid port. The second flow path surrounding the first fluid flow path and having at least one cap that overlaps the cap of the first fluid flow path. The second flow path also having at least one fluid port. The filter device providing a simple arrangement that is easily disinfected or sterilized.

Abstract: A hemodiafiltration system for treating blood which has module having a housing in which hollow-fiber membranes are arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extent and are embedded at their ends in first and second sealing compounds joined to the inner wall of the housing in a fluid-tight manner. The membrane module also has a dialyzate space and a substituate space separated from the dialyzate space in a fluid-tight manner by a continuous dividing wall. The membrane module further includes means for delivering and withdrawing a dialyzate to and from the dialyzate space, and means for delivering a substituate to the substituate space. The hollow-fiber membranes are used for blood treatment, filtration of the substituate, and delivery of the substituate to the blood.

Abstract: A combination filter element comprising a bundle of hollow microporous fibers housed within an extruded carbon block, wherein the carbon block is fabricated to balance particle retention capacity against absorption capacity to provide a composite filter with desirable pressure drop, filter life, and particulate and chemical contamination reduction, and a filtration device, in which combination filter element may be employed, having a base portion including a sump which has an inlet and an outlet and a base which has a reception port for receiving the filter element.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane gas separation apparatus of a compact design suitable for separation and purification of gases is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an outer housing that consists of a detachable bowl and a head closure, and a removable hollow fiber membrane cartridge positioned therein. The cartridge contains several concentric separation zones and provides for efficient countercurrent flow configuration between the feed gas on the shell side and the permeate sweep gas on the lumen side of the hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: A membrane filtration device has a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship; said first header and said second header having opposed ends of each fiber sealingly secured therein, all open ends of said fibers open to a permeate-discharging face of at least one header; permeate collection means to collect said permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming an integrated combination wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed and ends of individual fibers are potted in closely spaced-apart relationship in cured resin; with opposed faces at a fixed distance; each of said fibers having a length from 0.1% to less than 5% greater.

Abstract: A method for producing a filter element of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes made of perfluorinated thermoplastic polymer with a pot or seal made of perfluorinated thermoplastic polymer. A bundle of hollow fiber membranes is prepared with the fibers substantially aligned, with at least one end sealed. The sealed end is placed in a temporary recess made in a molten pool of perfluorinated thermoplastic potting material and held in the molten pool while potting material flows around and up the fibers to form a unified pot after cooling and solidification of the potting material.

Abstract: Solvent-resistant polybenzimidazole membranes, methods of making them and crosslinking them and composite membranes and hollow fiber membrane modules from them are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering bioproducts from a feed solution. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a module housing, a membrane means disposed in the housing for filtering the bioproducts from the feed solution wherein a portion of the membrane means is coated with a polymeric coating, and an adsorbent bed disposed in the housing for retaining the bioproducts which permeate through the membrane, wherein the apparatus is adapted to allow fractionation and purification of the retained bioproducts from the bed by elution.

Abstract: A dual-stage filtration cartridge is provided. The cartridge can be embodied as a mid-dilution hemodiafiltration cartridge or a redundant sterilization filtration cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing having a first end and an opposing second end. The housing has a primary fluid inlet and outlet at the first end of the cartridge. The housing also defines first and second filtration stages with the first filtration stage including first filtering elements disposed between the first and second ends of the housing. Each stage has a separate inter-lumen fiber space, but shares a common extra-lumen space. The primary fluid inlet communicates with the first filtering elements at the first end so that fluid flows through the first filtering elements toward the second end. The second filtration stage includes second filtering elements disposed between the first and second ends of the housing with the fluid outlet communicating with the second filtering elements at the first end.

Abstract: One or more hollow fiber membranes having a coflow of filtrate to provide trans-membrane pressure (TMP) control. The membranes preferably are capable or forming a shear effect or Dean vortices at their inner surface. Optionally, the filtrate channel may contain one or more types of beads, either inert or formed of a capture resin such as affinity chromatography beads or ion exchange resins, for selectively capturing and retaining certain molecules from the filtrate of feedstream. The beads, in addition to the optional capture function, aid in the control of the TMP.

Abstract: A porous asymmetric hollow polymer fiber membrane having an inside surface having a coarse porous structure and an outside surface having a dense porous structure, the average pore size rating of the pores at the inside surface being greater than the average pore size rating of the pores at the outside surface, as well as filters and filter devices comprising one or more of the hollow fiber membranes, the filter and devices preferably being arranged to direct fluid flow from the inside surface of the membranes to the outside surface, and methods of using the filters and filter devices, are disclosed.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane cartridge wherein a cartridge head and a bottom ring are connected and fixed to each other by means of a plurality of rods or pipes, the hollow portion at the end of each hollow fiber membrane on the cartridge head side is open, the hollow portion at the end of each hollow fiber membrane on the bottom ring side is sealed, and a plurality of through-holes are provided in an adhesion and fixation layer on the bottom ring side and are located in a bundle of the hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: Hollow fiber membrane cassettes (1000) comprising an exterior casing (400), a filter (20) comprising two or more hollow fiber membranes (21), and an internal manifold (50) comprising first and second cassette headers (51, 52), wherein the cassette is arranged to allow feed flow, retentate flow, and permeate flow, and methods for making and using the cassettes, are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for potting a filter is described. The device comprises a housing having a first hole in the first region communicating between the surface and the lumen, and a second hole in the second region communicating between the surface and the lumen. A ridge extends around the first hole and the second hole to define a trough for receipt of a flowable potting material. During the manufacture of the filter assembly, the housing is rotated about an axis that bisects the housing and is perpendicular to an axis of the lumen, a flowable material is placed on the surface of the housing, a portion of the flowable material flows toward the first hole, is retained by the ridge, and passes through the first hole, and a portion of the flowable material flows toward the second hole, is retained by the ridge, and passes through the second hole.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for withdrawing filtered permeate from a substrate contained in a reservoir at ambient pressure. The apparatus includes a plurality of membrane assemblies. Each assembly has a plurality of hollow fiber filtering membranes, immersed in the reservoir, at least one permeating header with the membranes sealingly secured therein, and a permeate collector to collect the permeate sealingly connected to the at least one permeating header and in fluid communication with lumens of the membranes. The membranes of each assembly extend generally vertically upwards from a first header during permeation. One or more sources of suction are provided in fluid communication with the lumens of the membranes of each assembly through the permeate collectors and apply sufficient suction to withdraw permeate from the lumens of the membranes. An aeration system for discharging bubbles assists in keeping the membranes clean.

Abstract: A method of potting a plurality of hollow fiber membranes into a mass of solidified potting liquid is described. Open ends of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are enclosed in a first material held in a container which may be a part of a permeate collection means, for example, a permeate pan or header enclosure. A potting liquid is flowed into the container over the first material. The potting liquid surrounds each hollow fiber membrane and then becomes a solid mass that provides a fluid-tight seal to the outside of the hollow fiber membranes. The first material prevents the potting liquid or solid mass from closing the ends of the membranes. The first material is later removed from the ends of the hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for withdrawing filtered permeate from a substrate contained in a reservoir at ambient pressure. The apparatus includes a plurality of membrane assemblies. Each assembly has a plurality of hollow fiber filtering membranes, immersed in the reservoir, at least one permeating header with the membranes sealingly secured therein, and a permeate collector to collect the permeate sealingly connected to the at least one permeating header and in fluid communication with lumens of the membranes. The membranes of each assembly extend generally vertically upwards from a first header during permeation. One or more sources of suction are provided in fluid communication with the lumens of the membranes of each assembly through the permeate collectors and apply sufficient suction to withdraw permeate from the lumens of the membranes. An aeration system for discharging bubbles assists in keeping the membranes clean.

Abstract: An element for use in ultrafiltration or microfiltration of potable water has a large number of small diameter hollow fibre membranes attached between two headers. Side plates attached to the sides of the headers define vertical flow channels containing the membranes. The elements may be placed side by side and stacked on top of each other to form cassettes having continuous vertical flow channels through the entire cassette. The membrane modules or cassettes may be arranged to cover a substantial part of the cross sectional area of an open tank. Tank water may flow upwards or downwards through the flow channels. A tank may be deconcentrated by at least partially emptying and refilling the tank with fresh water while permeation continues. Excess tank water created during deconcentration may flow generally upwards through the modules and out through a retentate outlet or overflow at the top of the tank.

Abstract: A cell and tissue culture modeling device comprising a housing having an interior chamber, an inlet port in fluid communication with the internal chamber, an outlet port in fluid communication with the internal chamber, a plurality of hollow fibers disposed within the interior chamber and traversing the length of the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port. Each of the plurality of hollow fibers has an interior defining an intracapillary space and the interior chamber defines an extracapillary space unoccupied by the plurality of hollow fibers. To access the extracapillary space of the device, a portion of the housing is removable. The device can be used to conduct permeability, drug efficacy, and gene expression studies.

Abstract: A method for producing a filter element of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes made of perfluorinated thermoplastic polymer with a pot or seal made of perfluorinated thermoplastic polymer. A bundle of hollow fiber membranes is prepared with the fibers substantially aligned, with at least one end sealed. The sealed end is placed in a temporary recess made in a molten pool of perfluorinated thermoplastic potting material and held in the molten pool while potting material flows around and up the fibers to form a unified pot after cooling and solidification of the potting material.

Abstract: A method of reducing solids fouling between porous membranes in a membrane filtration system of the type having a plurality of membranes mounted, at least at one end, to a header and operable to withdraw permeate from multicomponent liquid substrate in which said porous membranes are immersed, the method including rendering a portion of one or more of the membranes, adjacent the header, inoperative.

Abstract: An element of immersed, suction driven, filtering membranes has a plurality of hollow fiber membranes suspended between upper and lower headers. The lower header is movable between a first position in which the fibers are substantially elongated and second position in which the two headers are closer to each other by between 1 and 4% of the un-potted length of the membranes. The weight of the lower header is sufficient to keep the lower header in the first position in substantially quiescent water while allowing the lower header to rise to the second position in upwardly flowing water. Aerators are mounted generally below the elements and supply scouring bubbles to each element at a higher rate and then at a rate less than one half of the higher rate in repeated cycles. The cycles are preferably between 10 seconds and 60 seconds in duration. The lower header rises to the second position when bubbles are supplied at the higher rate and falls to the first position when bubbles are supplied at the lower rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow membrane (11) comprising two support layers arranged one above the other forming a space between them and a plurality of capillary tubes arranged between the support layers forming capillary channels for the flow of a first fluid, the space between the capillary tubes forming an internal cavity for the circulation of a second fluid around the capillary tubes, and the whole assembly being made of an organic polymer. These membranes (11) can be assembled into modules for the treatment of a fluid with intermediate porous panels (13).

Abstract: In an apparatus for separating at least one component from a fluid mixture, comprising a plurality of hollow fiber membrane frames through which a carrier fluid is conducted while the fluid mixture flows through the frames in a direction normal to the hollow fiber membranes supported in the frame, a plurality of frames are stacked on top of one another and shaped so that, together, they form a sealed tubular structure for guiding the fluid mixture past the hollow fiber membranes extending across the frames.

Abstract: A tubular membrane module includes a a tubular jacket delimiting a flow path for a fluid containing a plurality of components, a plurality of tubular membrane bodies bundled together in a bundle and disposed in the tubular jacket, and at least one interspace element disposed between at least two adjacent membrane bodies of the plurality of membrane bodies. Each of the tubular membrane bodies has a surface and is permeable for a first component of the plurality of components. The interspace elements reduces a diffusion path of the first component to the surface of the membrane bodies.

Abstract: A modular fluid treatment system utilizing hollow fiber cartridges held within the controlled environment of a reaction chamber, with the system being designed to accommodate and facilitate ease of access to individual cartridges within a given module. The arrangement provides for parallel operation of a group of individual modules, while at the same time facilitating access to individual modules for cartridge replacement. Each module includes an elongated cylindrical reaction chamber with end caps, with the end caps being designed to sealingly engage and retain individual cartridges for use within the module, while at the same time providing for accommodating a wide range of tolerance for variations in cartridge length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a membrane module, the membrane module having a plurality of porous membranes, the membranes being arranged in close proximity to one another and mounted to prevent excessive movement therebetween and means for providing, from within the module, by means other than gas passing through the pores of the membranes, gas bubbles entrained in a liquid flow such that, in use, the liquid and bubbles entrained therein move past the surfaces of the membranes to dislodge fouling materials therefrom, the gas bubbles being entrained in the liquid by flowing the liquid past a source of gas to draw the gas into the liquid flow. The gas bubbles are preferably entrained into the liquid using a venturi type device. The membranes are preferably partitioned into discrete groups to assist cleaning while maintaining high packing density.

Abstract: A filter device for mass exchange between two media separated by a membrane is disclosed. The device provides for low-stress transfer of blood flow from the connection area of the filter device to the fibers of a hollow fiber bundle. Relatively uniform utilization of the fibers is provided by a membrane in the form of a hollow fiber bundle whose fiber cavities form a first flow space. At least one inflow or outflow chamber is connected to the first flow space for supplying a medium to the hollow fiber bundle or removing a medium from the hollow fiber bundle. The inflow or outflow chamber is adjacent to an essentially circular or semicircular channel which is designed to be open in the direction of the ends of the hollow fibers and is connected to an inlet or outlet of the filter device. The channel is arranged approximately centrally with the hollow fiber bundle.

Abstract: A filtration assembly is presented which removes bacteria and endotoxin from a solution so that a sterile fluid is produced. The sterile fluid is suitable for direct on-line infusion to a patient from a device, such as a dialysis machine. The filtration assembly is constructed so that two separate filtration compartments exist, resulting in redundant filtration of the fluid prior to infusion. Each compartment holds a filter which preferably consists of a longitudinal bundle of semipermeable hollow fibers. The filter is sized so that it creates a separate area within the compartment for filtrate and infusate flow. This redundant filtration produces a lower risk of creating a pyrogenic or septic condition in the patient due to filter failure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane module of immersing type in which it is difficult for polluted substances to accumulate between hollow fiber membranes, and increase in pressure difference, reduction in flow rate and inter-fiber clogging can be prevented for a long time period. The module is provided at its both ends with water collecting portions having water collecting plates, and hollow fiber membranes are connected to the water collecting plates in such a manner that the hollow fiber membranes are not in contact with each other, and the hollow fiber membranes are mounted between the plates in a relaxed condition.

Abstract: An immersion type membrane filter apparatus 200 is intended for obtaining filtrate by filtrating a fluid to be processed stored within a storage bath 150 and primarily includes a filtration membrane module 300 and an air bubbles supply device 500 disposed therebelow. The filtration membrane module 300 has numerous tubular membranes 310 having on the inner surfaces thereof the function of filtrating a fluid to be processed packed within a cylindrical housing vessel 301 having a discharge port 303 for filtrate. The tubular membranes 310 are held in an opened state at both the ends of the housing vessel 301. The filtration membrane module 300 is soaked in a fluid to be processed in such a way that the tubular membranes 310 are opened in the vertical direction. When air bubbles are supplied to the filtration membrane module 300 from an air bubbles supply device 500, the fluid to be processed flows through the tubular membranes 310 from the down side upwards to naturally circulate within the storage bath 150.

Abstract: A dialyzer is provided comprising a casing defining an interior and including a dialysate inlet and a dialysate outlet. A plurality of fibers are located in the interior of the casing and define a fiber bundle. A dialysate inlet fluid channel is provided in fluid communication with the dialysate inlet and includes a plurality of flutes that extend into a portion of the fiber bundles, the flutes define an opening for allowing dialysate to flow from the inlet fluid channel into the interior of the casing. Methods of providing dialysis are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a multi component liquid substrate while leaving particulate matter therein as a skein of hollow fiber filtering membranes immersed in the substrate which is contained in a non-pressurized reservoir. A pumping fluid communication with the lumens of the membranes draws a component of the substrate as permeate through the membranes by applying a section to the lumens of the membranes. In various embodiments, an aeration system as a gas distributor for discharging air directly into the substrate within the skein, upper and lower headers of the skein are spaced apart by a gas tube, and a gas distribution system has through passages through the lower header to discharge bubbles into the substrate above the lower header.

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: Solvent-resistant polybenzimidazole membranes, methods of making them and crosslinking them and composite membranes and hollow fiber membrane modules from them are disclosed.

Abstract: To pot membranes in a header, a dense, viscous liquid, suspension or, preferably, a thixotropic, water soluble gel, is placed in a header pan in space reserved for a permeate channel. A plurality of hollow fiber membranes are collected together and their open ends are inserted into the gel. A fixing liquid, typically a resin, is placed over the gel. The fixing liquid surrounds each membrane and then solidifies, simultaneously sealing the outer surfaces of the membranes and forming a plug in the opening of the header to complete the permeate channel. After the fixing liquid has solidified, the gel is removed by various means. The space initially occupied by the gel becomes part of the permeate channel after the gel is removed. In one embodiment, membranes are grouped by a cushioning adhesive which later surrounds the membranes where they exit the completed header.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of purifying feedwater to remove impurities including suspended solids therefrom, the method suitable for using in-line water pressure to permeate water through hollow fiber membranes and to backflush the membranes to remove solids collected or deposited thereon.

Abstract: A bioreactor having an outer shell compartment containing many coaxial pairs of hollow microporous fibers. An annular compartment exists between an outer surface of the inner hollow microporous fiver and the inner surface of the outer hollow microporous fiber. The annular compartment preferably contains blood or plasma. The blood or plasma is, thus, exposed to two microporous hollow fibers which have fluids which can purify or otherwise affect the blood through the walls of two different microporous hollow fibers. An artificial liver or kidney can result when liver or kidney cells are placed in the shell compartment.

Abstract: Membrane module for substance-specific treatment of fluids, in which are arranged first and second membrane elements (1, 2) with one end pointing toward a distribution space (8) and the other toward a collection space (9), each having a cavity (10,11) formed by the membrane wall. The first membrane elements (1) have their ends embedded in sealing compounds (4, 5) such that their cavities are open and open into the distribution space (8) and collection space (9). The second membrane elements (2) are also embedded in the sealing compound (5) at the end pointing toward the collection space (9), their cavities opening into the collection space, but are closed at the end pointing toward the distribution space (8).

Abstract: A filter device made of less expensive material than comparable filter devices heretofore has basic filter components plus some unique design aspects and an additional ring component. The ring provides an interface inside the filter which enables the potting compound to adhere to the filter and create a seal between a first and second fluid compartment within the filter. An embedded region of the ring possesses a detailed geometry which helps ensure that a delamination would be localized and unable to propagate from the first to the second compartment, maintaining the structural integrity of the filter device. To ensure that the sealing interface remains intact and free from delamination, the ring is subjected to a surface treatment, which modifies the surface energy of the ring. This modified surface energy of the ring allows the hydrophilic potting compound to more effectively bond to the modified hydrophobic ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter module having a module housing and at least one filter element. The filter module has at least one inlet opening, at least one filtrate outlet and a module housing at least one joint line.

Abstract: A filtration systems for fluids, particularly biological fluids. The filtration system includes a filter containing compartment connected at one end to a storage vessel and at the other end to a diaphragm pump. The filter comprises a hollow fiber module or a screen filter. The vessel serves as a storage container for a process stream to be filtered. The diaphragm pump provides the means for generating rapid, alternating, low shear tangential flow between the vessel and pump and through the hollow fibers or screen filter. The system allows easy removal of wastes from the fluid and the addition of fresh fluid to replenish the filtered fluid.

Abstract: A cell and tissue culture modeling device comprising a housing having an interior chamber, an inlet port in fluid communication with the internal chamber, an outlet port in fluid communication with the internal chamber, a plurality of hollow fibers disposed within the interior chamber and traversing the length of the housing between the inlet port and the outlet port. Each of the plurality of hollow fibers has an interior defining an intracapillary space and the interior chamber defines an extracapillary space unoccupied by the plurality of hollow fibers. To access the extracapillary space of the device, a portion of the housing is removable. The device can be used to conduct permeability, drug efficacy, and gene expression studies.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane, wherein an inner diameter (Id) is within the range of 100 to 200 &mgr;m, the ratio (Mt/Id) of a wall thickness (Mt) to the inner diameter (Id) is the range of 0.9 to 1.1, a bubble point (Bp) is at least 0.5 MPa, and the ratio (Di/Do) of the maximum major axis (Di) of the pores existing in the layer of up to 10 &mgr;m thick from an inner surface to the maximum major axis (Do) of the pores existing in the layer of up to 10 &mgr;m thick from an outer surface is within the range of 10.0 to 15.0; a hollow fiber membrane module formed of the hollow fiber membranes; and a water purifier formed of the hollow fiber membrane module.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module having a structure, in which raw water is supplied into a filtration chamber containing a hollow fiber membrane and surrounded by a first sealing body having the open ends of the numerous hollow fiber membranes constituting the hollow fiber membrane bundle, a cylindrical case and a second sealing means, through a raw water supply port formed in the cylindrical case at a position near the second sealing body, and in which the drain of backwashing is discharged through a drain port formed in the second sealing body.