Abstract: An assembly includes a housing with opposite first and second layers. The first and second layers are spaced apart to define a confined interior space. A semi-permeable membrane is attached to the first layer, the semi-permeable membrane covering a porous area portion of the first layer. An outlet port and an inlet port are in fluid communication with the interior space. The assembly includes a first circulator for circulating a first fluid between the outlet port and the inlet port, and a second circulator for circulating a second fluid along an exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane. The second circulator includes a fluid duct attached to or integrated within the housing. The fluid duct is isolated from the interior space and is porous to provide fluid access to an exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane. The semi-permeable membrane forms a barrier allowing exchange of compounds across the membrane.

Abstract: A planar membrane cartridge includes a support and a semi-permeable membrane layer. The support includes a first layer attached to a second layer and defining a front face and a back face of the support. At least one of the first layer and the second layer form a first embossment and a second embossment. Respective back faces of the first layer and the second layer are attached to each other along edges of the first embossment and of the second embossment, such that the first embossment defines a fluid compartment between the first layer and the second layer and the second embossment defines an internal channel between the first layer and the second layer which is isolated from the fluid compartment. An area of the first layer corresponding to the first embossment is covered by the semi-permeable membrane layer.

Abstract: An assembly includes a housing with opposite first and second layers. The first and second layers are spaced apart to define a confined interior space. A semi-permeable membrane is attached to the first layer, the semi-permeable membrane covering a porous area portion of the first layer. An outlet port and an inlet port are in fluid communication with the interior space. The assembly includes a first circulator for circulating a first fluid between the outlet port and the inlet port, and a second circulator for circulating a second fluid along an exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane. The second circulator includes a fluid duct attached to or integrated within the housing. The fluid duct is isolated from the interior space and is porous to provide fluid access to an exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane. The semi-permeable membrane forms a barrier allowing exchange of compounds across the membrane.

Abstract: Assembly for treating fluids, comprising a support (12) having a first and second oppositely arranged surfaces (121) for backing support of a semi permeable membrane (11), a first fluid conveying compartments (124) interposed between the first and second surfaces, a plurality of first fluid passages (126) extending from the first surface (121) and being in fluid communication with the first compartments (124), and a first duct attached to the support (12) and in fluid communication with the first compartments. The assembly comprises a second compartment (125) arranged for conveying fluid and different from the first compartment, and a second duct attached to the support (12) and configured to be in fluid communication with the second compartment (125).

Abstract: A planar membrane cartridge includes a support and a semi-permeable membrane layer. The support includes a first layer attached to a second layer and defining a front face and a back face of the support. At least one of the first layer and the second layer form a first embossment and a second embossment. Respective back faces of the first layer and the second layer are attached to each other along edges of the first embossment and of the second embossment, such that the first embossment defines a fluid compartment between the first layer and the second layer and the second embossment defines an internal channel between the first layer and the second layer which is isolated from the fluid compartment. An area of the first layer corresponding to the first embossment is covered by the semi-permeable membrane layer.

Abstract: A planar filtration element includes a planar support structure (11) and at least one filtration layer (12, 13) made of a membrane material. The planar support structure has first and second opposite outer surfaces (111, 112) spaced apart and secured by spacing members (113) to define a drainage compartment (114) between the first and second outer surfaces. At least one of the first and second outer surfaces includes through-openings (115) for fluid connection with the drainage compartment (114), and wherein the outer surfaces (111, 112), when one disregards the through-openings, are formed of a material extending continuously throughout the outer surfaces. The filtration layer (12, 13) coats the outer surface such that the membrane material penetrates the through-openings (115) to anchor the filtration layer (12, 13) to the support structure (11).

Abstract: Assembly for treating fluids, comprising a support (12) having a first and second oppositely arranged surfaces (121) for backing support of a semi permeable membrane (11), a first fluid conveying compartments (124) interposed between the first and second surfaces, a plurality of first fluid passages (126) extending from the first surface (121) and being in fluid communication with the first compartments (124), and a first duct attached to the support (12) and in fluid communication with the first compartments. The assembly comprises a second compartment (125) arranged for conveying fluid and different from the first compartment, and a second duct attached to the support (12) and configured to be in fluid communication with the second compartment (125).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reinforced tubular membrane comprises the steps of manufacturing the tubular support from monofilament thread, impregnating the support with membrane dope and adjusting the inner and the outer diameter of the membrane. A coating apparatus comprises a casting bob and an orifice to adjust respectively the inner and outer diameter of the membrane. A tubular reinforced polymeric membrane comprises a tubular support and membrane substance. The tubular support is made of monofilament thread and has a sufficiently open structure (openings larger than 0.1 mm). Touching and/or engaging parts of the thread may be linked prior to impregnating the support with membrane dope. The support may comprise loops of the monofilament thread, which are also linked.

Abstract: A planar filtration element includes a planar support structure (11) and at least one filtration layer (12, 13) made of a membrane material. The planar support structure has first and second opposite outer surfaces (111, 112) spaced apart and secured by spacing members (113) to define a drainage compartment (114) between the first and second outer surfaces. At least one of the first and second outer surfaces includes through-openings (115) for fluid connection with the drainage compartment (114), and wherein the outer surfaces (111, 112), when one disregards the through-openings, are formed of a material extending continuously throughout the outer surfaces. The filtration layer (12, 13) coats the outer surface such that the membrane material penetrates the through-openings (115) to anchor the filtration layer (12, 13) to the support structure (11).

Abstract: A device for the filtration of liquids includes membrane curtains (2), each curtain being formed of a singular row of capillary membranes (5). The device has at least one bottom header (3) provided at a lower end of the membrane curtains (lower end of the capillary membranes) and linked to the capillary membranes of at least one membrane curtain and an individual top header (4) for each membrane curtain. The top header is provided at an upper end of the membrane curtain and is linked to the capillary membranes thereof. Top headers of adjacent membrane curtains (41, 42) are arranged at different heights and the capillary membranes (5) of the adjacent membrane curtains (2) have different lengths.

Abstract: A membrane bag comprising a volume for permeate collection, wherein the volume is completely enclosed in seamless membrane substance; a filtration unit comprising at least one above-described seamless membrane bag; the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag in a membrane bioreactor; the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag in water filtration or waste water purification; and the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag for the filtration or separation of a mixture of fluids, vapors and particles.

Abstract: Disclosed are seamless membrane bags, for example, a membrane bag comprising a spacer fabric and a volume for permeate collection, the spacer fabric comprising a first part and a second part that are spaced apart and tied together at a predefined distance by monofilament thread and the first and second parts are at least partially embedded with membrane substance and the volume for permeate collection is interposed between the first and second parts. The membrane substance embeds portions of the monofilament thread and fills the spacer fabric along the border of the membrane bag. The membrane substance completely enclosing the volume is seamless. Also disclosed are processes for producing such bags, a filtration unit comprising such a membrane bag, and their uses in the separation of fluids, vapors and particles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a reinforced tubular membrane comprises the steps of manufacturing the tubular support from monofilament thread, impregnating the support with membrane dope and adjusting the inner and the outer diameter of the membrane. A coating apparatus comprises a casting bob and an orifice to adjust respectively the inner and outer diameter of the membrane. A tubular reinforced polymeric membrane comprises a tubular support and membrane substance. The tubular support is made of monofilament thread and has a sufficiently open structure (openings larger than 0.1 mm). Touching and/or engaging parts of the thread may be linked prior to impregnating the support with membrane dope. The support may comprise loops of the monofilament thread, which are also linked.

Abstract: Disclosed are seamless membrane bags for example, a membrane bag comprising a spacer fabric and a volume for permeate collection, the spacer fabric comprising a first part and a second part that are spaced apart and tied together at a predefined distance by monofilament thread and the first and second parts are at least partially embedded with membrane substance and the volume for permeate collection is interposed between the first and second parts. The membrane substance embeds portions of the monofilament thread and fills the spacer fabric along the border of the membrane bag. The membrane substance completely enclosing the volume is seamless. Also disclosed are processes for producing such bags, a filtration unit comprising such a membrane bag and their uses in the separation of fluids, vapours and particles.

Abstract: A membrane bag comprising a volume for permeate collection, wherein the volume is completely enclosed in seamless membrane substance; a filtration unit comprising at least one above-described seamless membrane bag; the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag in a membrane bioreactor; the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag in water filtration or waste water purification; and the use of at least one above-described seamless membrane bag for the filtration or separation of a mixture of fluids, vapours and particles.