Abstract: An axial face seal is described that may be employed to seal a spiral membrane element of a filtration system. A seal can be formed using a first seal plate for capping the spiral membrane element to engage a corresponding face of a second seal plate of an adjacent spiral membrane element. The faces of the first and second seal plates have complementary profiles that yield an intermeshed contact of the seal plates when the spiral membrane element is coupled to the adjacent spiral membrane element. The intermeshed contact creates a tortuous flow path from inside the spiral membrane element to the outside of the spiral membrane element, thereby sealing the spiral membrane element at the point of coupling with the adjacent spiral membrane element. Adjacent spiral membrane elements can be coupled using a latching mechanism that is engaged before the spiral membrane elements are inserted into the cylindrical housing.

Abstract: A radial seal is described for use in a filtration system having annular elements. The rings or annuli fit in a groove in an outer surface of a seal plate. Each annulus has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of a cylindrical housing of the filtration system. A gap in the annulus has a width selected to enable the annular element to deform sufficiently to permit insertion of the at least one annulus into the cylindrical housing. Two or more annuli can be configured such that the gaps of the annuli are misaligned when both annuli are installed in the groove, thereby minimizing leakage in operation. A registration system includes a registration element that cooperates with a registration element of the other annulus to ensure misalignment of the gaps of the pair of annuli.