Abstract: Sanitary elements and cartridges of high performance are described which utilize a thin surrounding tubular shell with an exterior textured surface. Through the use of an overwrap material of particular design and by wrapping an assemblage of sheets of semipermeable membrane material, permeate carrier material and feed spacer material using a high tension, a spirally wound crossflow filtration element is constructed which has a substantially cylindrical outer surface of closely controlled OD that smoothly fits within such shell and which resists telescoping as a result of its radial compression.

Abstract: High flow, low-pressure ultrafiltration or microfiltration spiral wound membrane cartridges are used in filtration of liquid feedstocks having high suspended solids. Applications may utilize either vacuum or pumping for transmembrane drive pressure (TMP), and gas may optionally be bubbled up through the cartridges with certain feedstocks. Water permeate flux rates as high as 90 gallons per square foot per day (gfd) can be obtained at TMPs below 5 pounds per square inch. By locating each spiral wound cartridge in its own casing and supplying liquid feedstock to an open lower end of the casing, as opposed to submerging such cartridges in a tank filled with feedstock, overall low pressure performance is greatly improved. High permeate flow can be maintained for long periods of time between shutdowns for intensive cleaning.

Abstract: Sanitary elements and cartridges of high performance are described which utilize a thin surrounding tubular shell with an exterior textured surface. Through the use of an overwrap material of particular design and by wrapping an assemblage of sheets of semipermeable membrane material, permeate carrier material and feed spacer material using a high tension, a spirally wound crossflow filtration element is constructed which has a substantially cylindrical outer surface of closely controlled OD that smoothly fits within such shell and which resists telescoping as a result of its radial compression.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for positioning a plurality of cylindrical spirally wound membrane filtration elements in a body of aqueous feedstock employing manifold conduits that support vertically aligned filtration elements via short lengths of pipe. Efficient and effective connections are made between the ends of such support pipes and the adjacent end of each filtration element by bayonet-type fittings, which allow straightforward, detachable interconnection by axially moving the cylindrical element into place and then rotating the element a quarter turn. Support in this manner provides full access to the open lower ends of the element through which, during operation, streams of rising gas bubbles are caused to pass, fed from underlying bubblers or the like. The manifold conduits may be located either above or below the preferably vertically oriented filtration elements.

Abstract: High flow, low-pressure ultrafiltration or microfiltration spiral wound membrane cartridges are used in filtration of liquid feedstocks having high suspended solids. Applications may utilize either vacuum or pumping for transmembrane drive pressure (TMP), and gas may optionally be bubbled up through the cartridges with certain feedstocks. Water permeate flux rates as high as 90 gallons per square foot per day (gfd) can be obtained at TMPs below 5 pounds per square inch. By locating each spiral wound cartridge in its own casing and supplying liquid feedstock to an open lower end of the casing, as opposed to submerging such cartridges in a tank filled with feedstock, overall low pressure performance is greatly improved. High permeate flow can be maintained for long periods of time between shutdowns for intensive cleaning.

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 novel rigid, nonporous shell for use with a spiral wound membrane filtration element that allows a controlled bypass flow between the outside of the element and the inside of an enclosing pressure housing while maintaining structural mechanical properties and tight tolerances on the outside diameter of the element allowing easy installation and removal of the cartridge.