Abstract: A modular membrane filtration device is provided with replaceable membrane elements. The device is designed for ease of cleaning or replacing the membrane elements during filtration of a feed liquid to remove suspended solids. The cleaning may be effected by continuous aeration or by application of air as intermittent pressurized pulses. The device preferably has two headers, at least one of which is a permeate collection header having receptacles for a plurality of membrane elements, each of which is a potted hollow fiber membrane bundle. The potted hollow fiber membrane bundles are distinct entities which may be inserted into the receptacles, preferably in rows of circular slots, on the permeate collection header(s), and may be easily removed for maintenance, such as for replacement of the hollow fiber membrane elements.

Abstract: A bioreactor is disclosed in which cells are confined to a compartment formed by porous hydrophyllic sheet membranes through which a nutrient solution diffuses in and exocellular products and metabolic waste diffuse out. Adjacent gas compartments allow the flow of free oxygen into the cell compartment. Each cell compartment is configured to place cells within about 100-200 micrometers of the oxygen transport membrane.

Abstract: In applications involving interleaving membranes with separators, for bioreactors, dialyzers, and membrane filters and the like, shrinkage of the separator, preferably made of polypropylene, polyamides, or polyethylene terephthlate fiber web, is avoided, and the need for the use of exotic and expensive fluorinated hydrocarbon polymer materials for such separators is avoided by subjecting the separator to untensioned heating at temperatures of from about b 120 l degrees C., up to a temperature less than the glass transition or melting temperature of the polymer web under wet steam at a pressure of from about 1.0 to about 2.0 atmospheres for a time of at least about 20 minutes.

Abstract: Pyrogens can be effectively removed from an aqueous solution by passing a stream of the solution through a device comprising at least two anisotropic ultrafiltration membranes positioned in series, said membranes having nominal molecular weight limits less than the molecular weight of the pyrogens, including aggregates or micelles thereof, to be removed, wherein at least one membrane is juxtaposed with at least one other membrane so that substantially all of the skin surface of one membrane is in intimate contact with substantially all of the skin surface of the other membrane and wherein the edges of one membrane are sealed to the corresponding edges of the other membrane.