Abstract: A tubular membrane module system and method which comprise a plurality of UF modules connected in series by U-bends with an end fitting to the modules whose cross sectional flow area is substantially equal to the cross sectional flow area of the U-bends and wherein individual, longitudinal, tapered projections in the end fittings extend in the central flow passageway from the ends of each tube to minimize flow velocity changes of the streams into the central flow channel and into the end of the U-bend by maintaining a substantially constant cross sectional flow area thereby reducing expansion-contraction pressure losses.

Abstract: A filtration system and method constitute the subject matter of the present invention. The system comprises first and second filtration stages which are joined in series with each stage comprising a plurality of filtration modules range for parallel flow. The concentrate from the first stage forms the feed for the second stage and a portion of the second stage concentrate is recirculated to the first stage feed stream. A feed pump and a recirculating pump together with appropriate flow controllers and valves provide means for effecting control over both pressure and flow rate within the system.

Abstract: A spirally wound membrane module and membrane system containing a plurality of modules in series which spirally wound membrane module includes a low pressure drop mesh spacer material composed of generally parallel elongated filaments positioned generally parallel to the flow direction of the feed stream and wherein the elongated filaments are connected by shorter bridge filaments which are placed at an angle to the flow of the feed stream to provide for a low pressure drop, spirally wound membrane module and which permits such module to be employed in series without exceeding a defined maximum, allowable pressure drop.

Abstract: A spirally wound, high flux membrane module which comprises a feed inlet, a concentration outlet and two permeate outlets and one or more membrane leaves wrapped about a central permeate flow tube to define a permeate flow path in one or more of the membrane leaves and wherein the improvement comprises one or more of the membrane leaves containing two or more separate permeate flow compartments within the membrane leaf to provide for the separate permeate flow of the permeate within the separator compartments to the permeate outlet thereby reducing the area of the permeate back pressure and reducing membrane wrinkling and membrane failure particularly during the membrane cleaning cycles.