Abstract: In order to provide a spacer for filter modules which may be used not only for plate and frame filter modules, but also for spiral wound-type filter modules and which allows high packing densities while providing optimized cleanability, a spacer for filter modules is proposed to be disposed between two layers of a filter medium, said spacer comprising an essentially flat structured sheet material having upper and lower projections on the upper and lower surfaces thereof, respectively, said upper and lower projections defining an upper and lower bearing face for the layers of filter medium, wherein said projections rise from said upper and lower surfaces with wall portions and terminate in top portions, said upper and lower projections being spaced from each other in a direction parallel to the surface of the sheet material.

Abstract: Spacers for filter modules which have the advantages of open-channel technology and which at the same time allow high packing densities, similar to those achieved with conventional spiral wound-type modules, are disclosed wherein the spacer is disposed between two layers of a filter material and comprises a sheet material having a gridlike structure, and having upper and lower surfaces defining an upper and lower bearing face for the layers of filter material, the sheet material consisting of a large number of webs interconnected at junction points, of which webs a first portion is disposed parallel to a first preferred direction and a second portion is disposed parallel to a second preferred direction intersecting the first preferred direction, and at least some of the webs have first web regions, which extend to the upper and/or lower bearing face(s), and at least a further portion of the webs has second web regions which are spaced from the upper and lower bearing faces, the second web regions extending ov