Abstract: An aeration device configured to be fitted to a membrane filtration module having membranes mounted therein. The aeration device comprises a sleeve configured to at least partially surround the membrane filtration module. The sleeve has one end adapted to engage with the membrane filtration module and another end adapted to engage with a filtrate collection conduit or manifold.

Abstract: In a first membrane filtration module comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes; a fluid distribution device adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the membranes of the membrane module, the fluid distribution device comprising a plurality of through-hole openings for distributing a fluid, and the fluid distribution device adapted to distribute a flow of fluid along a surface of the permeable hollow membranes. In a second membrane filtration device comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes, each of the permeable hollow membranes having a surface; and a gas distribution device: adapted to distribute gas bubbles to the surface of the permeable hollow membrane, adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the plurality of permeable hollow membranes, and defining a plurality of through openings for distributing the gas bubbles to the membranes.

Abstract: An aeration device configured to be fitted to a membrane filtration module having membranes mounted therein. The aeration device comprises a sleeve configured to at least partially surround the membrane filtration module. The sleeve has one end adapted to engage with the membrane filtration module and another end adapted to engage with a filtrate collection conduit or manifold.

Abstract: An aeration device configured to be fitted to a membrane filtration module having membranes mounted therein. The aeration device comprises a sleeve configured to at least partially surround the membrane filtration module. The sleeve has one end adapted to engage with the membrane filtration module and another end adapted to engage with a filtrate collection conduit or manifold.

Abstract: In a first membrane filtration module comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes; a fluid distribution device adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the membranes of the membrane module, the fluid distribution device comprising a plurality of through-hole openings for distributing a fluid, and the fluid distribution device adapted to distribute a flow of fluid along a surface of the permeable hollow membranes. In a second membrane filtration device comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes, each of the permeable hollow membranes having a surface; and a gas distribution device: adapted to distribute gas bubbles to the surface of the permeable hollow membrane, adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the plurality of permeable hollow membranes, and defining a plurality of through openings for distributing the gas bubbles to the membranes.

Abstract: In a first membrane filtration module comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes; a fluid distribution device adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the membranes of the membrane module, the fluid distribution device comprising a plurality of through-hole openings for distributing a fluid, and the fluid distribution device adapted to distribute a flow of fluid along a surface of the permeable hollow membranes. In a second membrane filtration device comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes, each of the permeable hollow membranes having a surface; and a gas distribution device: adapted to distribute gas bubbles to the surface of the permeable hollow membrane, adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the plurality of permeable hollow membranes, and defining a plurality of through openings for distributing the gas bubbles to the membranes.

Abstract: A module arrangement (5) according to an embodiment of the invention consists of a plurality of membrane modules (6) arranged in a two dimensional array (7) and extending between upper and lower block-type manifolds (8) and (9), respectively. The array of modules is further divided into sub-groups of modules (10) separated from each other by space (11) extending transversely across the membrane array (7). An integrated support frame (12) is positioned in the space (11) between the sub-groups (10) and is fixed to the upper and lower manifold blocks (8) and (9) to form an integrated support structure within the module array (7).

Abstract: A module arrangement (5) according to an embodiment of the invention consists of a plurality of membrane modules (6) arranged in a two dimensional array (7) and extending between upper and lower block-type manifolds (8) and (9), respectively. The array of modules is further divided into sub-groups of modules (10) separated from each other by space (11) extending transversely across the membrane array (7). An integrated support frame (12) is positioned in the space (11) between the sub-groups (10) and is fixed to the upper and lower manifold blocks (8) and (9) to form an integrated support structure within the module array (7).

Abstract: In a first membrane filtration module comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes; a fluid distribution device adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the membranes of the membrane module, the fluid distribution device comprising a plurality of through-hole openings for distributing a fluid, and the fluid distribution device adapted to distribute a flow of fluid along a surface of the permeable hollow membranes. In a second membrane filtration device comprises a membrane module comprising a plurality of permeable hollow membranes, each of the permeable hollow membranes having a surface; and a gas distribution device: adapted to distribute gas bubbles to the surface of the permeable hollow membrane, adapted to removably surround at least a portion of the plurality of permeable hollow membranes, and defining a plurality of through openings for distributing the gas bubbles to the membranes.

Abstract: A method of backwashing a membrane filtration module (4), said module (4) including one or more membranes (5) located in a feed-containing vessel (3), the membranes (5) having a permeable wall which is subjected to a filtration operation wherein feed containing contaminant matter is applied to one side of the membrane wall and filtrate is withdrawn from the other side of the membrane wall, the method including: removing liquid from the feed-containing vessel (3) until the level of liquid in the feed-containing vessel (3) falls to a first level (L2) below an upper level of the membranes; suspending the filtration operation; performing a liquid backwash of the membrane wall until liquid level within the feed-containing vessel (3) rises to a second predetermined level (L1) above said first level; aerating the membrane surface with gas bubbles to dislodge fouling materials therefrom; performing a sweep or drain down of the feed-containing vessel (3) to remove the liquid containing the dislodged contaminant matter

Abstract: A method and apparatus for backwashing a membrane filtration system wherein permeate remaining present in the filtration system wherein permeate remaining present in the filtration system when the filtration process is stopped or suspended is used to provide liquid for backwashing the membrane pores during a backwashing process.

Abstract: A module arrangement (5) according to an embodiment of the invention consists of a plurality of membrane modules (6) arranged in a two dimensional array (7) and extending between upper and lower block-type manifolds (8) and (9), respectively. The array of modules is further divided into sub-groups of modules (10) separated from each other by space (11) extending transversely across the membrane array (7). An integrated support frame (12) is positioned in the space (11) between the sub-groups (10) and is fixed to the upper and lower manifold blocks (8) and (9) to form an integrated support structure within the module array (7).

Abstract: A method of backwashing a membrane filtration system comprising at least one permeable hollow membrane, the method comprising the step of applying a low-pressure gas to the permeate remaining present in the system when the filtration process is stopped or suspended to provide liquid for backwashing the pores of the membrane during a backwashing process.

Abstract: A method and filtration module (5) for providing gas bubbles within an array of vertically disposed porous hollow membranes (6) to clean the outer surfaces of said membranes (6) when the array is immersed in a liquid by feeding (10) the gas bubbles into the array transversely of the vertical axis of the array. In one preferred form, the gas bubbles are retained within the array using a sleeve (11) surrounding the array (6) at least along part of its length.