Abstract: A filtration system includes production modules (305) which are mechanically coupled in series, and which contain filters that are fluidly coupled in parallel. Among the many different possibilities contemplated, each production module may advantageously contain not only a filter (314), but also flowpaths for feed fluid (334a), waste fluid (334b), and product fluid (334c) so that a series of coupled modules can be installed, accessed, and removed as single unit. It is further contemplated that coupled modules may be deployed in space efficient manner, such as by insertion into a deep or shall well, a tower, along the ground, into the side of a hill or mountain, or even under a road or parking lot. It is still further contemplated that adjacent production modules may be designed to mate with one another using a slip fit joint, and that the production modules may be maintained in mating relationship through connections to supporting cables or rods.

Abstract: Dialyzer and process of modification of a dialyzer with a laser are disclosed. Process for producing a dialyzer includes a medium IR pulsed laser surface treatment at least in place of the last precision cut. Process reduces standstill times during treatment of dialyzer ends to achieve a smooth surface of the dialyzer ends. Dialyzer hollow membrane ends in entrance and exit regions in the region of plastic embedding are funnel shaped, have rounded edges, and, along with the plastic, form a smooth, melted, and purified surface.

Abstract: Devices and methods that prevent clotting of blood during blood-processing procedures such as hemofiltration, hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, and peritoneal dialysis are described. The device comprises a cap and a housing that is shaped to receive a blood filter. The housing has an inlet for blood and may have an outlet for waste and ultrafiltrate. The cap is attached to the housing. The cap has an outlet for blood and a port adjacent the outlet for receiving dilution fluid. Methods of use during blood-processing procedures to provide immediate hemodilution to blood exiting a filter are also described.

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: Hemodiafiltration system for treating blood, comprising a membrane module (1) in whose housing (2) hollow-fiber membranes (3) embedded at their ends in first and second sealing compounds (4,5) joined to the inner wall of the housing in a fluid-tight manner are arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extent, the membrane module (1) also having a dialyzate space (12) and a substituate space (11) separated from the dialyzate space (12) in a fluid-tight manner by a continuous dividing wall (10), and further comprising means for delivering (18,19) and withdrawing a dialyzate to and from the dialyzate space (12), and means for delivering (21) a substituate to the substituate space (11), the same hollow-fiber membranes (3) being used for blood treatment, filtration of the substituate, and delivery of the substituate to the blood, and an exterior space being formed around the hollow-fiber membranes (3) that is delimited by the inner wall of the housing (2) and sealing compounds (4,5) and divided along the longi

Abstract: The present invention relates to hollow fiber membrane modules for use as “immersion modules” in filtration and/or dialysis methods, in particular whenever impairments due to fouling effects are expected from the use of liquids that are contaminated or lead to deposits. The hollow fiber membrane module comprises at least one housing and a plurality of tubular hollow fiber membranes which are arranged parallel to one another in and/or around the housing in a packing space, wherein the volumetric ratio of all the hollow fiber membranes arranged in the packing space to the packing space is less than 20%. Methods for producing such hollow fiber membrane modules are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a liquid in a tank has a plurality of elements and a frame for holding the elements while they are immersed in the liquid. The elements have a plurality of hollow fibre membranes attached to and suspended between an upper header and a lower header. The membranes are in fluid communication with one or more permeate channels in one or more of the headers. Releasable attachments between the headers and the frame allow the frame to releasably hold the elements by their headers. The size and configuration of the frame determines the positions of the upper and lower headers of each element relative to each other. Connections between the permeate channels and one or more permeate collection tubes attached to the frame are releasable and resealable connections which are made or broken automatically by the movements involved in inserting or removing an element into or out of the frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fractionating mixtures comprising separation elements which are series mounted and mounted in a closed loop. Said device is characterized in that the solvent used is a supercritical pressurized fluid, each of the separation elements is made of a membrane separation, it comprises means for injecting the solvent at a pressure which is greater than the critical pressure thereof and for maintaining the pressure in said loop at a value which is above critical pressure, and it further comprises means for injecting the diluent and for maintaining the pressure thereof at a value which is similar to the value of the pressure of the solvent (S) in each of the areas (I, II, III, IV).

Abstract: A device is provided for the sequestration and concentration of polar chemicals from water. The device includes a microporous hydrophilic membrane enclosure formed by a tube or facing membranes. A mixed sequestration media, contained within the enclosure, transforms dissolved polar organic chemicals into non-mobile species. The sequestration media is a triphasic admixture of a hyper-crosslinked polystyrene-divinylbenzene resin, and a carbonaceous sorbent dispersed on a size exclusion styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an artificial organ formed of a material having a solubility parameter &dgr; of not more than 13 (cal/cm3)½ involves filling micropores of the body fluid treatment membrane with a filling solution having no or little solubility with respect to a fat-soluble modifier solution, and coating a portion of the body fluid treatment membrane with the fat-soluble modifier by contacting the fat-soluble modifier solution. With this method substantially only the necessary portions need to be coated with the fat-soluble modifier so that a smaller amount of the fat-soluble modifier may be employed. A microporous membrane is formed of a synthetic polymer substrate having a solubility parameter &dgr; of not more than 13 (cal/cm3)½, with not less than 50 wt % of fat-soluble modifier included in the hollow fiber membrane being held on a surface which may contact body fluid. The membrane possesses the following sieve coefficients measured by dextrans: no more than 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-permeable hollow fiber membrane having an inner diameter of 50 to 500 &mgr;m and a membrane thickness of 10 to 150 &mgr;m, which is preferably a composite hollow fiber membrane having a three-layer structure consisting of a nonporous layer having porous layers disposed on both sides thereof. Dissolved gases present in an ink can be removed by passing the ink through the bores of hollow fibers comprising such a hollow fiber membrane, and evacuating the outer surface side of the hollow fibers. This method makes it possible not only to degas inks with a slight pressure loss, but also to degas inks stably even if pressure changes occur during degassing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-permeable hollow fiber membrane having an inner diameter of 50 to 500 &mgr;m and a membrane thickness of 10 to 150 &mgr;m, which is, preferably a composite hollow fiber membrane having a three-layer structure consisting of a nonporous layer having porous layers disposed on both sides thereof. Dissolved gases present in an ink can be removed by passing the ink through the bores of hollow fibers comprising such a hollow fiber membrane, and evacuating the outer surface side of the hollow fibers. This method makes it possible not only to degas inks with a slight pressure loss, but also to degas inks stably even if pressure changes occur during degassing.

Abstract: A filter device having 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 process for operating filtering membranes submerged in a tank involves, in one aspect, periodically deconcentrating the tank by at least partially emptying and refilling the tank with fresh water while permeation continues. In another aspect, long trains of membranes modules are placed in series along a flow path in the tank. In one embodiment, constant aeration is provided to prevent tank water from by-passing the membrane modules while proving controlled mixing such that the average concentration of solids in the tank is lower than the concentration of solids in the tank near an outlet for removing retentate from the tank. In another embodiment, the membrane modules are arranged in a series of filtration zones between a feed water inlet and a retentate outlet of a tank. Permeate is withdrawn from the filtration zones by separate means associated with each filtration zone.

Abstract: A filtering device comprising a pressure vessel provided with a feed connection and a filtrate connection, and one or more capillary filtration membrane modules. The membrane modules comprise an inlet coupled with the feed connection, an outlet coupled with the filtrate connection, and a filter housing provided with a membrane compartment accommodating a bundle of capillary filtration membranes. The capillary filtration membranes are cased at both ends of the membrane module in membrane holders. At least one of the membrane modules is provided with at least one feed-through conduit extending substantially in the longitudinal direction through the membrane module.

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

Abstract: A system for filtering fluids and the filter used in the system. This system comprises a plant formed by membrane filters and in which the fluid to be filtered is fed into the plant first with the flow in a given direction and then fed into the same plant with the flow in the opposite direction. The plant comprises valves which regulate the flow of the fluid supplied, and which mix the fluid flow supplied to the plant which is from different points of same. The filters of the plant are directly connected to each other without the need for external piping. The filter used in this system has a structure which allows flow reversal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bundle of hollow fibers intended to constitute the membrane of a device for treating blood or plasma by extracorporeal circulation, in which: the hydraulic permeability of the hollow fibers in the bundle is heterogeneous; and the ratio of the highest hydraulic permeability measured on some hollow fibers of the bundle to the lowest hydraulic permeability measured on other hollow fibers in the same bundle is at least about 5.

Abstract: A blood processing apparatus which retains little residual blood is provided by a hollow fiber flux fixed to a housing by a partition, with the end portion opened. A blood port provided with a blood intake is attached to the opened end plane. The angle of the blood intake interior wall of the blood port has an inclination &thgr; of 1.5° or less as to the center axis of the blood port. The distance h of the interior face of the blood port and the flux-holding partition it faces is 0.08 D≦h≦0.13 D where Q represents the intersection between a hypothetical line which passes through the end portion P of the inner plane of the blood port and is orthogonal with the partition and a hypothetical extension line from the ceiling plane of the blood port, h represents the distance between the partition and the intersection Q, and D represents the diameter at the end portion of the inner plane of the blood port. The blood processing apparatus is used for blood purifying, dialysis, ultrafiltration, and the like.

Abstract: A filter device of a hollow fiber membrane type is prevented from being clogged. A filter cylinder is two-divided with a filter chamber on the upper side and a recovery chamber on the lower side by a funnel member. A hollow fiber membrane module is arranged in a state spread in a broom form within the filter chamber. Raw fluid is radially ejected through ejection ports of an injection pipe. Consequently, the hollow fiber membrane module positively spreads into a broom form while vibrating. Due to this, raw fluid sufficiently reaches an inside of the hollow fiber membrane module, thereby achieving efficient filtration and stripping away of deposit. The stripped deposit enters the recovery chamber. The deposit entered the recovery chamber does not return to the filter chamber. Thus, there is no re-deposition of the once-removed deposit onto the hollow fiber membrane module.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method for transferring a selected solute species from a fluid mixture to a fluid media. The system of the present invention includes a convergent channel for passing a fluid mixture containing a selected species tangentially across the first surface of a porous membrane. A fluid media is directed to flow tangentially over the second surface of the membrane. As the fluid mixture and the fluid media flow on opposite sides of the membrane, the selected species traverses the membrane leaving the fluid mixture and entering the fluid media. The volumetric loss to the fluid mixture associated with the loss of the selected species is compensated for by the convergency of the channel. As a result a constant velocity is maintained over the membrane, maximizing the selectivity of the filtration process.

Abstract: The reactor includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle. Pressurized hydrogen and water are introduced into a volume containing the fiber bundle. The fibers are free to separate and more independently over most of their length. The fibers have microporous inner and outer layers and a nonporous layer sandwiched between the inner and outer layers and are sealed on one end. Hydrogen is introduced inside the fibers, which are sealed on one end to prevent direct escape of the hydrogen gas. The H2 gas dissolves then diffuses through the nonporous layer. Water is introduced around the fibers, and the biofilm reaction occurs on the outer surface of the fibers. Oxidized contaminants are removed from the water by the biofilm reaction, which consumes H2 gas that diffuses through the membrane. The individual fibers are free, over most of their length, to separate in response to the water flow. This prevents excessive biofilm-to-biofilm contact.

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: The invention relates to a filter device for the physical elimination of microbes, suspended matter and solids from water, which in a housing has a filter insert made of 200 to 10000 hollow-fiber membranes with a defined pore width between 0.001 and 1.0 &mgr;m and which can be mounted on a water tap with its top side. A disadvantage of previously known filter devices is that deposits will adhere to the fibers. In order to remedy this drawback, the bottom side of the device of the invention features separate outlets for filtered and unfiltered water and at least in the outlet for the unfiltered water a valve is fitted with which this outlet can be closed.

Abstract: A liquid solid separation apparatus having a porous metal pipe sealed inside a non-porous metal pipe which allows a portion of the liquids, e.g., hydrocarbons and water to pass through the first pipe into the non porous pipe from which they are removed while solids are retained within the porous pipe. In the process there is a system pressure which aids in the filtration and a circulating velocity which removes the detained solids. Preferably a portion of these solids with reduced liquid content are recycled back to the system, mixed with fresh feed. By recycling a porion of the recovered solid concentrate the velocity of the flow in the system kept constant and the system itself is stabilized.

Abstract: A process for operating filtering membranes submerged in a tank involves, in one aspect, periodically deconcentrating the tank by at least partially emptying and refilling the tank with fresh water while permeation continues. In another aspect, long trains of membranes modules are placed in series along a flow path in the tank. In one embodiment, constant aeration is provided to prevent tank water from by-passing the membrane modules while proving controlled mixing such that the average concentration of solids in the tank is lower than the concentration of solids in the tank near an outlet for removing retentate from the tank. In another embodiment, the membrane modules are arranged in a series of filtration zones between a feed water inlet and a retentate outlet of a tank. Permeate is withdrawn from the filtration zones by separate means associated with each filtration zone.

Abstract: A filter includes a plurality of filter units formed of a porous ceramic medium arranged and housed in a casing, and having therethrough a circulatory line for passing a feed fluid and a discharging route for passing a permeated fluid. The circulatory line and the discharging route are separated from each other by partially sealing those portions of the filter units which are fixed to opposite ends of the casing. The filter unit is structured to basically have a large number of open channels communicating with the circulatory line and passing the feed fluid and closed channels passing the permeated fluid, and a large number of discharge holes penetrating a solid portion of the porous ceramic medium to discharge the permeated fluid. As seen in any cross section of the filter orthogonal to one direction thereof, the plurality of filter units occupy an area corresponding to at least 35% of an internal area of the casing.

Abstract: A porous hollow fiber membrane having a particle cutoff within the range of 1 to 10 &mgr;m and a pure water permeate flow equal to or higher than 30,000 L/m2/hr/100 kPa.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for concentrating a blood fraction. The device includes an ultrafiltration unit connected to a fluid delivery system for delivering the blood fraction to be concentrated into the ultrafiltration unit. The device also includes a purge fluid delivery system for expelling concentrate from the ultrafiltration unit. In one embodiment, the device accommodates multiple cycles of concentration. A blood fraction concentration method is also provided. The device and method of the present invention are particularly useful for preparing a plasma concentrate suitable for use in a coagulum-based wound sealant.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane module comprising a module case and a hollow fiber membrane bundle comprising a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, at least one end of the bundle being bonded to and fixed on the module case, wherein the bonding portions of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the module case comprise a silicone type resin and in at least one of the bonding portions, a reinforcing rib for reinforcing the bonding portions is directly fixed on the module case. According to the hollow fiber membrane module of this invention, the membrane filtration treatment of water containing ozone over a long period of time and the repeating washing with water containing ozone are made possible.

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 filtering element has ultrafiltration or microfiltration hollow fibre 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 side by side or in an orthogonal grid. A frame restrains 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 of an element from the frame. An aerator is located below the module with a plurality of air holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering device comprising a pressure vessel provided with a feed connection and a filtrate connection, and one or more capillary filtration membrane modules, said membrane modules comprising an inlet coupled with the feed connection, an outlet coupled with the filtrate connection, and a filter housing provided with a membrane compartment accommodating a bundle of capillary filtration membranes, and said capillary filtration membranes being cased at both ends of the membrane module in membrane holders. At least one of the membrane modules is provided with at least one feed-through conduit extending substantially in the longitudinal direction through the membrane module.

Abstract: A dual-stage hemodiafiltration cartridge is presented and includes a first hemodiafiltration stage including a first housing with first filtering elements disposed therein. The first housing has a blood inlet and a first dialysate outlet at one end and a first dialysate inlet at an opposite end. The cartridge further includes a second hemodiafiltration stage having a second housing with second filtering elements disposed therein. One end of the second housing has a blood outlet and a second dialysate inlet. An opposite end has a second dialysate outlet. An inter-stage connector is connected to one end of the first housing and to one end of the second housing and is adapted to allow flow of blood from a blood side of said first filtering elements to a blood-side of the second filtering elements and flow of dialysate fluid therethrough from the second stage to the first stage.

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 hollow fiber separation membrane element and a module thereof which comprise a bundle of a great number of bunches of hollow fiber separation membranes, the bunches of hollow fiber separation membranes being each reinforced with a filament wound therearound. Breakage or rupture of the hollow fiber separation membranes is prevented during production and use.

Abstract: A filtration device is provided for withdrawing permeate essentially continuously from a multicomponent aqueous substrate containing growing microorganisms in a reservoir. A vertical skein of fiber is scrubbed with coarse bubbles which emanate from a conversion baffle positioned under the skein. The substrate is aerated with fine bubbles in a size range small enough to transfer oxygen to the substrate efficiently. The baffle traps the fine bubbles and converts them to coarse bubbles which are effective to scrub the fibers. In the most preferred embodiment, the finished headers of the skein are derived from composite headers comprising a fixing lamina of resin in which the fibers are potted near their terminal ends, and a fugitive lamina of fugitive powdery material in which the terminal ends of the fibers are potted. The fugitive lamina is removed, preferably by dissolving the powder, e.g. finely divided common salt in water.

Abstract: Multicomponent hollow fiber membrane tubesheets are disclosed that provide for improved membrane performance, particularly at high operating pressures. The multicomponent tubesheets have an epoxy resin having, when cured, different degrees of hardness in different portions of the tubesheet. Methods for producing such multicomponent tubesheets are also provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for making tube bundles for various medical applications such as oxygenators, dialyzers, and heat exchangers is described. The tube bundle is suitable for use as a heat exchanger in, for example, a blood cardioplegia circuit. The winding apparatus axially winds a flexible tube around a winding core. The apparatus includes a tube shuttle, a shuttle driver and a core driver. The core driver rotates the winding core to distribute the tube on the winding core in layers.

Abstract: A membrane module for substance-specific treatment of a fluid includes a housing with a bundle of hollow-fiber membranes with semipenneable, porous walls. The hollow-fiber membranes are embedded in a sealing compound only at one end, and flow around the second end is substantially unrestricted. The lumina of the hollow-fiber membranes are open at the unembedded end and lead into the external space surrounding the hollow-fiber membranes. The fluid to be treated is introduced via an inlet arrangement on only one of the two sides (inside or outside) of the hollow-fiber membranes and directed over this side as a primary stream such that a portion thereof flows as a permeate stream through the wall to the respective other side, the substance-specific treatment taking place on the permeate stream. After passing through the wall, the permeate stream is collected on the other side and reunited with the primary stream in the external space.

Abstract: Membrane module and process for its manufacture, wherein the membrane module contains at least two groups of hollow-fiber membranes, the groups arranged in layers and capable of being fed independently by fluids. The membrane module has a housing shell comprising a channel-shaped housing middle section, open at the top, and adjoining end pieces, also open at the top and with a number of arms corresponding to the number of groups. The groups of hollow-fiber membranes are inserted as layers over one another such that they are arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the housing middle section and substantially parallel to each other. The ends of hollow-fiber membranes of different groups are arranged in respectively different arms of the end pieces and embedded with a sealing compound such that at least one end of the hollow-fiber membranes is open.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane module of immersing type and a method for manufacturing such a hollow fiber membrane module, 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: A filter assembly 1 comprising an elongate housing 2 having therein a plurality of discrete filter bundle lengths 3 disposed end to end in a series configuration. Each filter bundle length 3 comprises a multitude of micro-porous polymeric hollow fibers of the kind wherein feed to be filtered is fed to the outside of the bundle of fibers and permeate is extracted from one or both permeate discharge ends 4 of the fiber lumens. The system also includes one or more longitudinally extending feed passages 6 and 7 and one or more longitudinally extending permeate return passages, each of the permeate return passages being in fluid flow communication with each of the permeate discharge ends 4 of the fiber lumens, desirably via connecting passages 9.

Abstract: A membrane filtration module, comprising a housing, a semi-permeable membrane, which is accommodated in the housing and has a liquid side for the introduction of liquid to be filtered and a concentrate side opposite the liquid side, as well as a permeate chamber, which surrounds the membrane and is in communication with a permeate-discharge line for discharging permeate. According to the invention, the wall of the housing comprises one or more channels which are closed towards the liquid side and the concentrate side and are in communication with the permeate chamber. These channels act as a permeate discharge.

Abstract: A reactor for carrying out gas/liquid/solid phase reactions, comprises a housing (1) which encloses an essentially closed reaction chamber (2) for holding a first liquid phase, the solid phase and a gas phase fed through the chamber; at least one feed (3), connected to the reaction chamber, for feeding a first liquid phase to the reaction chamber (2); at least one hollow fiber (4), the wall of which defines an internal flow channel for at least removing a second liquid phase, such that exchange of matter can take place between the reaction chamber (2) and the flow channel through the wall of hollow fiber (4); at least one discharge (6), connected to the flow channel, for removing the second liquid phase; at least one gas inlet (7) and at least one gas outlet (8), connected to reaction chamber (2) such that, in the use position, the at least one gas inlet (7) opens essentially into the bottom of the reaction chamber (2) and the at least one gas outlet (8) is located essentially at the top of the reaction chamb

Abstract: An appliance for fragmenting heterogeneous elements of a fluid medium comprising a filter module with an inlet connected to a supply line for the fluid medium including heterogeneous elements and an outlet connected to a fluid medium outlet line. The filter module comprises a series of channels inside which the fluid medium is to be circulated. The appliance further comprises a planar fragmentation device which is located upstream of the inlet and comprises passages. In accordance with the invention, the planar device constitutes a screen comprising passages which have one dimension equal to the smallest dimension of the cross section of flow of the channels divided by n, where n is in the range 1.4 to 10. The passages are formed from cutting separator elements which define the passages and have a minimum thickness in the range 0.1 mm to 2 mm to ensure fragmentation of heterogeneous elements of the fluid medium.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane device adapted for bore side feed includes a split annular disk as a tube sheet support. The device may be assembled without integrating tube sheet support means into the hollow fiber bundle and tube sheet combination and without in situ tube sheet formation.

Abstract: A filter element includes a bundle of hollow fiber type separation membranes made of a natural or synthetic macromolecular material and a sealed part made of a thermoplastic resin. The bundle has an opening in at least one terminal part thereof. The sealed part is bonded to the bundle at a temperature not higher than the melting or decomposing temperature of the macromolecular material and adapted to seal watertightly the opening of the bundle in a half-bonded state showing no compatibility with the macromolecular material and permitting persistence of the mutual interface of bondage.

Abstract: A membrane filter having one or more ducts is disclosed herein. Each of the ducts has a porous wall defining a lumen surrounded by helical grooves in the respective wall. The groove can be a single, double, or triple start groove defining a flow direction along the groove. The cross sectional area of the groove in the case of a single start groove, or aggregate cross sectional area of the groove in the case of a double or triple start groove, perpendicular to the flow direction along the lumen is within a range of 75% to 125% of the cross sectional area of the lumen. The helical grooves create vortices which reduce concentration polarization while increasing membrane area.

Abstract: A vertical skein of “fibers”, opposed terminal portions of which are held in headers unconfined in a modular shell, is aerated with a gas-distribution means which produces a mass of bubbles serving the function of a scrub-brash for the outer surfaces of the fibers. The membrane device is surprisingly effective with relatively little cleansing gas, the specific flux through the membranes reaching an essentially constant relatively high value because the vertical deployment of fibers allows bubbles to rise upwards along the outer surfaces of the fibers. Further, bubbles flowing along the outer surfaces of the fibers make the fibers surprisingly resistant to being fouled by build-up of deposits of inanimate particles or microorganisms in the substrate provided that the length of each fiber is only slightly greater than the direct center-to-center distance between opposed faces of the headers, preferably in the range from at least 0.1% to about 5% greater.