Abstract: The present invention provides a defect inspection apparatus and a defect inspection method that allows easy and efficient inspection of a defect of a porous hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a defect inspection apparatus including: a container storing a fluid; a passage member that is configured such that a hollow fiber membrane travel passage, which allows the porous hollow fiber membrane to pass therethrough continuously, is formed thereinside and the passage member being disposed in the fluid to thereby fill the passage with the fluid; a restrictor that restricts travel of the porous hollow fiber membrane such that the porous hollow fiber membrane passes through the fluid in the hollow fiber membrane travel passage of the passage member; a fluid suction device that flows the fluid in the hollow fiber membrane travel passage to thereby lower the pressure of the fluid in the hollow fiber membrane travel passage; and an air bubble detector that detects an air bubble that is released into the fluid from a defect of the porous hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a porous membrane, including a coagulation step of coagulating a membrane-forming raw material solution to form a porous membrane; a washing step of washing the porous membrane to remove material remaining in the porous membrane; a removal step of removing a hydrophilic polymer remaining in the porous membrane, in which the washing step includes transporting a porous membrane so as to contact with a falling washing solution. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method of producing a porous membrane capable of efficiently removing a solvent from a porous membrane within a short period of time at a low cost without large facilities; and a washing apparatus used for the production process.