Abstract: Printed spacer membrane elements offer the unique advantage of applying any pattern on the membrane surface to act as the feed spacer material. This is in contrast to conventional feed spacer mesh material that is uniform in thickness and density throughout the mesh. More open feed spaces can be utilized allowing closer spacing between membrane sheets in the feed space which allows more membrane sheet to be wrapped around the membrane element—resulting in more permeate flow—while simultaneously reducing the pressure loss from the feed to reject end of the element. Unique design features of printed spacers dramatically improve performance of membrane elements in contrast to conventional feed spacer mesh elements in the prior art.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide the integration of the function of the feed spacer, the permeate carrier, or both, as a part of the membrane sheet in a spiral wound membrane element.

Abstract: Printed spacer membrane elements offer the unique advantage of applying any pattern on the membrane surface to act as the feed spacer material. This is in contrast to conventional feed spacer mesh material that is uniform in thickness and density throughout the mesh. More open feed spaces can be utilized allowing closer spacing between membrane sheets in the feed space which allows more membrane sheet to be wrapped around the membrane element-resulting in more permeate flow-while simultaneously reducing the pressure loss from the feed to reject end of the element. Unique design features of printed spacers dramatically improve performance of membrane elements in contrast to conventional feed spacer mesh elements in the prior art.

Abstract: Printed spacer membrane elements offer the unique advantage of applying any pattern on the membrane surface to act as the feed spacer material. This is in contrast to conventional feed spacer mesh material that is uniform in thickness and density throughout the mesh. More open feed spaces can be utilized but may also result in higher stress concentration, and where the spacer material comes in contact with the opposing membrane leaf. This patent presents concepts for reducing the damage on membrane leaves by increasing the concentration of the print pattern near the center tube where the stress concentration on the membrane leaves is greatest, orienting the membrane sheets prior to rolling to minimize damage from slippage during rolling, moving the fold away from the first features to minimize leaks at the insertion point.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide replacement of conventional separate feed spacer mesh with features placed, deposited or integrated on or into either the porous permeate carrier, the inactive side of the membrane sheet, or select portions of the membrane surface.

Abstract: An image sensor has a photocathode window assembly, an anode assembly, and a malleable metal seal. The photocathode window assembly has a photocathode layer. The anode assembly includes a silicon substrate that has an electron sensitive surface. The malleable metal seal bonds the photocathode window assembly and the silicon substrate to each other. A vacuum gap separates the photocathode layer from the electron sensitive surface. A first electrical connection and a second electrical connection are for a voltage bias of the photocathode layer relative to the electron sensitive surface.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system, for example a membrane filtration system, utilizing means to mechanically vary fluid recovery and energy recovery to optimize fluid production for a given energy input, based on the total dissolved solids concentration in the fluid feed stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the deposition of spacing elements for spiral wound elements that prevent nesting of adjacent spacer layers and occlusion of feed space during element rolling.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane element comprising feed spacer elements applied to the active polyamide surface of the membrane sheet, where the feed spacer elements comprise similar material as the active polyamide layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the deposition of spacing elements for spiral wound elements which promote mixing within the feed space during element operation thereby improving element performance and reducing concentration polarization and potential for biological fouling.

Abstract: An image sensor has a photocathode window assembly, an anode assembly, and a malleable metal seal. The photocathode window assembly has a photocathode layer. The anode assembly includes a silicon substrate that has an electron sensitive surface. The malleable metal seal bonds the photocathode window assembly and the silicon substrate to each other. A vacuum gap separates the photocathode layer from the electron sensitive surface. A first electrical connection and a second electrical connection are for a voltage bias of the photocathode layer relative to the electron sensitive surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the deposition of spacing elements for spiral wound elements which promote mixing within the feed space during element operation thereby improving element performance and reducing concentration polarization and potential for biological fouling.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide replacements for a continuous layer of feed spacer mesh in spiral-wound reverse osmosis elements and replacing such mesh with discrete regions of feed spacer supporting the inlet and outlet ends of the element and a stiffening bridge feature to bridge between these regions at the tail end of each membrane leaf comprising the element during the element rolling process. The stiffening bridge feature prevents inward deflection of the inner layer of the membrane leaf during rolling, facilitating proper sealing of the adhesive through the permeate carrier to the adjacent membrane film using known membrane rolling techniques.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses that can alter flow characteristics within the feed channel of a cross-flow filtration element by employing a varying geometry of the feed spacer at a fixed channel height.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, flow dividing strips are used in the construction of the spiral wound element to segregate and direct feed to reject flow of a reverse osmosis element Flow dividing strips isolate the flow of fluid through distinct regions of the spiral-wound element. The flow dividing features can also be used to direct flow within the element in order to create a longer flow path for the fluid through the element, enabling even higher recovery in some applications.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide elements that are beneficial for use in fluid filtration. Embodiments provide elements that have variable feed spacer height, variable permeate spacer height, or both. The variable height allows flow properties to be matched to fluid volume as the filtration occurs.

Abstract: Methods of making membrane elements for fluid or gas filtration, comprising applying feed or reject spacers, or intermediate spacers, or fold line protection strips, or end support strips directly to a membrane sheet, or to a substrate material which are subsequently applied to a membrane sheet, which thereby avoids contamination from directly printed adhesives, inks, or polymers, or damage from heat or radiation damage to the membrane sheet during direct application of spacers or patterns to the surface of the membrane sheet, thereby avoiding utilization of conventional feed spacer mesh materials. Membrane sheets and spiral wound filtration elements having spacers applied to defined regions of the sheet, in some embodiments having spacers mounted on substrates with different material properties, e.g., stiffness, than the underlying membrane.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide replacement of conventional separate feed spacer mesh with features placed, deposited or integrated on or into either the porous permeate carrier, the inactive side of the membrane sheet, or select portions of the membrane surface.

Abstract: An image sensor has a photocathode window assembly, an anode assembly, and a malleable metal seal. The photocathode window assembly has a photocathode layer. The anode assembly includes a silicon substrate that has an electron sensitive surface. The malleable metal seal bonds the photocathode window assembly and the silicon substrate to each other. A vacuum gap separates the photocathode layer from the electron sensitive surface. A first electrical connection and a second electrical connection are for a voltage bias of the photocathode layer relative to the electron sensitive surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide elements that are beneficial for use in fluid filtration. Embodiments provide elements that have variable feed spacer height, variable permeate spacer height, or both. The variable height allows flow properties to be matched to fluid volume as the filtration occurs.