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: An improved microporous, modular filter structure assembled from replaceable filter cartridges (25) housed within a filter cartridge assemby (10) connected at opposed ends by means of symmetrical headers (41). The headers include a tube within a tube structure whereby they are adapted to conduct first and second fluids independently to both adjacent, like interconnected headers and into and out of filter cartridges (25) to which each header (41) is connected at both ends of each cartridge. Manifolds (100, 101) include a similar tube within a tube structure which allows them to be connected to the ends of rows of interconnected headers (41) whereby a modular filter bank can be constructed of indefinite dimension and capacity.

Abstract: A manifold structure for connecting rows of cartridges (100) to adjacent like rows of cartridges (100). The manifold structure includes a first fluid passage (153, 183) adapted to pass either feed or filtrate through the body of the manifold structure, a second fluid passageway (169, 197) adapted to be coupled to a first passageway of a filter cartridge to provide fluid communication between the cartridge and the first passageway, a third fluid passageway (167, 199) adapted to be coupled to a second passageway of the filter cartridge to provide fluid communication between the cartridge and the first passageway; only one of the second fluid passageway or the third fluid passageway being enabled for fluid communication at any one time.

Abstract: A fluid filter has a bundle of hollow fibres (40) within a casing. At one end of the casing (40) there is a header (41) which has a feed passageway (55) therethrough and in communication with the interior of the casing (40) and the exterior of the fibres. The header (41) also has a filtrate passageway (64) therethrough and in communication with the open ends of the fibres.

Abstract: A fluid filter has a bundle of porous hollow fibres (40) within a casing. At one end of the casing (40) there is a header (41) which has a feed passageway (55) therethrough and in communication with the interior of the casing (40) and the exterior of the fibres. The header (41) also has a filtrate passageway (64) therethrough and in communication with the open ends of the fibres. At the other end of the casing there is a second header (42) which has a treated feed passageway (72) therethrough and in communication with the interior of the casing (40) and the exterior of the fibres. The header (42) also has a filtrate passageway (74) therethrough and in communication with the open ends of the fibres. The feed, treated feed and filtrate passageways (55, 72, 64 & 74) area formed in the off set portions (56, 73, 65 & 75) of the headers (41, 42) that have planar parallel end faces whereby a plurality of filter units may be joined together without a manifold to form a bank of filters.