Abstract: A hollow shaft impeller (100) having a hollow impeller housing (120), a magnet (108), an impeller cap (102), an impeller retainer (106), and a plurality of impeller blades (134). The impeller housing has a hub (130) that defines an interior volume (128) and an impeller bore that provides access to the interior volume. The magnet may be sized to be disposed within the interior volume. The impeller cap may be removably coupled to the hollow impeller housing proximate to the impeller bore. The impeller retainer may be removably coupled to the magnet and sized to be disposed within the interior volume. The plurality of impeller blades may project from the hub. Optionally, fins (140) may be disposed on each of the plurality of impeller blades.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a substantially flat filter plate comprising a substantially flat polymer, preferably thermoplastic, frame and substantially flat filter material seated fixedly therein. The method is characterized by its reduced exposure of the filter material to adverse mechanical stresses resultant of polymeric frame formation and curing. Toward such end, the substantially flat polymeric frame is formed in at least two separate steps, in the course of which said substantially flat filter material is incorporated. The portion formed first serves as a mechanical restraint, insulating the later incorporated filter material from any propensity of the second “embedding” portion to shrink or otherwise warp during its formation.

Abstract: A filtration cartridge is provided comprising one or a stack of filtration units sealed to each other at their inner periphery and their outer periphery and to end caps thereby eliminating the need for a housing surrounding the stack. Fluid pathways are provided so that filtration of all incoming feed is assured prior to passing from the cartridge as filtrate.

Abstract: A fluid path control element which when stacked alternatively with a fluid porous sheet can be formed into a filtration module. The fluid path control element comprises a porous membrane having sealed to a portion of its periphery a thermoplastic element that extends into an opening either through the membrane or in an opening through the thermoplastic element. The portion of the thermoplastic element that extends into the opening can be heat sealed with a second thermoplastic element to prevent fluid flow between the opening and the membrane.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a substantially flat filter plate comprising a substantially flat thermoplastic polymer frame and substantially flat filter material seated fixedly therein. The method is characterized by its reduced exposure of the filter material to adverse mechanical stresses resultant of thermoplastic frame formation and curing. Toward such end, the substantially flat thermoplastic frame is formed in at least two separate steps, in the course of which said substantially flat filter material is incorporated. The portion formed first serves as a mechanical restraint, insulating the later incorporated filter material from any propensity of the second “embedding” portion to shrink or otherwise warp during its formation.

Abstract: A process for making a fluid processing module is provided wherein a plurality of filtration elements is alternated with a fluid porous layer to form a stack. The filtration elements comprise a membrane sheet having a thermoplastic element bonded to a portion of an edge of the membrane. An opening is provided either through the membrane or through the thermoplastic element. A portion of the thermoplastic element extends into the opening and can be sealed to an adjacent positioned thermoplastic element to seal the porous sheet positioned between adjacently positioned membranes from fluid communication with the opening. Sealing can be effected by extending a heating element through the opening of the stack to effect simultaneous sealing of a plurality of thermoplastic elements.

Abstract: A process for making a fluid processing module is provided wherein a plurality of filtration elements is alternated with a fluid porous layer to form a stack. The filtration elements comprise a membrane sheet having a thermoplastic element bonded to a portion of an edge of the membrane. An opening is provided either through the membrane or through the thermoplastic element. A portion of the thermoplastic element extends into the opening and can be sealed to an adjacent positioned thermoplastic element to seal the porous sheet positioned between adjacently positioned membranes from fluid communication with the opening. Sealing can be effected by extending a heating element through the opening of the stack to effect simultaneous sealing of a plurality of thermoplastic elements.

Abstract: A fluid path control element which when stacked alternatively with a fluid porous sheet can be formed into a filtration module. The fluid path control element comprises a porous membrane having sealed to a portion of its periphery a thermoplastic element that extends into an opening either through the membrane or in an opening through the thermoplastic element. The portion of the thermoplastic element that extends into the opening can be heat sealed with a second thermoplastic element to prevent fluid flow between the opening and the membrane.