Abstract: A membrane module (3) comprising a plurality of porous hollow membranes (8). The membranes (8) extend between and are fixed at each end in a header (5, 6). One header (6) has one or more of openings (12) formed therein. The openings (12) are in fluid communication with a source of gas and/or liquid (13, 14, 15). The other of the headers (5) is sealingly connected to and in fluid communication with a head-piece (9). The head-piece (9) is adapted to couple to an associated head-piece of a further module to form a rack of modules (17). A potting head (6) for use in mounting porous hollow membranes (8) is also disclosed comprising a preformed potting element (29). The potting element (29) includes one or more cavities (30) for receiving curate potting material which, in use, supports said membranes (8).

Abstract: A projectile of non-lethal composition includes an outer casing that is substantially sealed prior to impact with a target both when the projectile is in a static condition and when the projectile is in a dynamic condition. A marking material is encapsulated within the outer casing prior to impact. The outer casing is configured to deform and unseal upon impact such that the marking material disperses forward via hydraulic action.

Abstract: A membrane filtration assembly (10) including a membrane module (5) having one or more permeable hollow membranes (6) supported therein by at least one header (7). A filtrate collection chamber (18) is associated with the header (7) and in fluid communication with lumens of the membranes (6) for collecting filtrate withdrawn through said membrane lumens. A filtration chamber (11) is provided for receiving feed liquid to be applied to the surface of membranes (6) within the module (5). The filtration chamber (11) encloses module (5) and extends beyond the height of the module (5).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effect of integrity loss in a hollow fibre membrane module, said module including a plurality of hollow fibre membranes (5), at least one end of the fibre membranes (5) being supported in a pot (6), the method including the step of increasing flow resistance of the liquid through the lumen (8) of the fibre membrane (5) in the region of the pot (6).

Abstract: A method of controlling fouling in a membrane filtration system (5) of the type where gas is used to clean or scour the membranes (6) wherein the method includes supplying the gas to the system with a continuously variable flow rate. A continuously variable valve arrangement (17) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effect of integrity loss in a hollow fiber membrane module, said module including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (5), at least one end of the fiber membranes (5) being supported in a pot (6), the method including the step of increasing flow resistance of the liquid through the lumen (8) of the fiber membrane (5) in the region of the pot (6).

Abstract: A membrane filtration manifold for connecting a filter submodule including one or more elongate bundles of semipermeable polymeric fibers is provided. The manifold includes a housing and connecting collar connected with said housing. The collar is adapted to receive and locate the submodule, where the submodule has a connecting sleeve with a locking formation. The submodule can be secured at one end to the collar by a clip adapted to engage both the collar and the locking formation to prevent axial withdrawal of the submodule from the collar. Also disclosed is a membrane filtration apparatus including a filter submodule including one or more elongate bundles of semipermeable polymeric fibers. The apparatus further includes a membrane filtration manifold removably connected at one end of said filter submodule and a basepiece removably connected to the other end of said filter submodule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effect of integrity loss in a hollow fiber membrane module, said module including a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (5), at least one end of the fiber membranes (5) being supported in a pot (6), the method including the step of increasing flow resistance of the liquid through the lumen (8) of the fiber membrane (5) in the region of the pot (6).

Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane filtration module is disclosed. The module comprises at least one or more longitudinally extending membranes located in a feed-containing vessel. The membranes have 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 comprises the steps of suspending the filtration operation; performing a cleaning process on the membrane wall to dislodge contaminant matter from the membrane wall into liquid surrounding the membrane: performing a sweep of the feed-containing vessel substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending membranes to remove the liquid containing the dislodged contaminant matter, at least in part, through an opening in a header or other part of the module, and then recommencing the filtration operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing volume of feed liquid required in a porous membrane filtration system having a number of porous membranes (6) submersed in a volume of feed liquid to be filtered is provided, the method comprising the step of providing filler elements (9) within said volume of feed liquid to be filtered.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a membrane filtration module is disclosed. The module comprises at least one or more longitudinally extending membranes located in a feed-containing vessel. The membranes have 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 comprises the steps of suspending the filtration operation; performing a cleaning process on the membrane wall to dislodge contaminant matter from the membrane wall into liquid surrounding the membrane: performing a sweep of the feed-containing vessel substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending membranes to remove the liquid containing the dislodged contaminant matter, at least in part, through an opening in a header or other part of the module, and then recommencing the filtration operation.

Abstract: A membrane filtration manifold for connecting a filter submodule including one or more elongate bundles of semipermeable polymeric fibers is provided. The manifold includes a housing and connecting collar connected with said housing. The collar is adapted to receive and locate the submodule, where the submodule has a connecting sleeve with a locking formation. The submodule can be secured at one end to the collar by a clip adapted to engage both the collar and the locking formation to prevent axial withdrawal of the submodule from the collar. Also disclosed is a membrane filtration apparatus including a filter submodule including one or more elongate bundles of semipermeable polymeric fibers. The apparatus further includes a membrane filtration manifold removably connected at one end of said filter submodule and a basepiece removably connected to the other end of said filter submodule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing volume of feed liquid required in a porous membrane filtration system having a number of porous membranes (6) submersed in a volume of feed liquid to be filtered is provided, the method comprising the step of providing filler elements (9) within said volume of feed liquid to be filtered.

Abstract: A membrane filtration manifold (1) for connecting a filter submodule (2) including one or more elongate bundles of semipermeable polymeric fibers. The manifold (1) includes a housing (3) and connecting collar (4) connected with said housing (3). The collar (4) is adapted to receive and locate the submodule (2), where the submodule has a connecting sleeve (5) with a locking formation (6). The submodule (2) can be secured at one end to the collar (4) by a clip (7) adapted to engage both the collar and the locking formation to prevent axial withdrawal of the submodule from the collar. Also disclosed is a membrane filtration apparatus (25) including a filter submodule (2) including one or more elongate bundles of semipermeable polymeric fibers. The apparatus further includes a membrane filtration manifold removably connected at one end of said filter submodule (2) and a basepiece (27) removably connected to the other end of said filter submodule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering fine solids from a liquid feed suspension is disclosed. The apparatus has an operating cycle including a concentration part of the cycle in which solids present in the feed suspension are concentrated and a backwash part of the cycle in which supply of feed suspension to the concentrator is interrupted, the concentrator comprises a shell (11), and a plurality of elastic, hollow, microporous, polymer fibers (12) being fixed at their ends within the shell (11). Pressurized feed suspension is supplied to the outside of the fibers during said concentration part of the cycle and the filtrate may be withdrawn from the fiber lumens during the operating cycle. During the backwash cycle the concentration part of the cycle is terminated by ceasing supply of feed to said exterior surface of the fibers (12). The shell (11) is then sealed and the remaining filtrate removed from the lumens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the fouling effect of a feedstream on a filter having known characteristics disclosed. The method comprises passing the feedstream through a filter (5) having known characteristics; determining the change in resistance to flow of the feedstream across the filter, either continuously or over a number of time intervals and from this data, calculating a feed fouling index (FFI) representative of the fouling characteristics of the feedstream with respect to the filter. A method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of a filtration system is also disclosed the method comprising sampling system parameter values at selected locations within the filtration system at a predetermined sampling rate; generating a parameter profile characteristic from the sampled parameter values at predetermined intervals of time; and analysing the parameter profile characteristic to determine correct operation of the filtration system.