Abstract: A method and an apparatus (10) for filtering and separating flow medium (11) by means of membranes (13), in a substantially pressuretight housing (14), at least one inlet (15) for the flow medium (11) to be separated, and at least one outlet (16) for permeate (18) discharge and an outlet (17) for discharged retentate (19), is described. The membranes (13) being embodied as membrane cushions, which have an opening region (131) for emergence of permeate (18) collecting in the membrane interior (137). Various partial sets of the set of membranes (13), which form a membrane stack (12), utilize different separation techniques based on the flow medium (11) so that a respective partial set are each operated with a predetermined, different pressure of the medium (11) to be separated or with a different vacuum on the permeate side of the membranes (13).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus (10) for filtering and separating flow media (11) by means of membranes (13), including a substantially pressuretight housing (14) in which a plurality of membranes (13) is disposed, at least one inlet (15) for the flow medium (11) carried into the apparatus (10) and to be separated, and at least one outlet (16) for the permeate (18) discharged from the apparatus (10) and an outlet (17) for the discharged retentate (19), the membranes (13) being embodied on the order of membrane cushions, which have an opening region (131) for the emergence of the permeate (18) collecting in the membrane interior (137).

Abstract: In a spacer element for guiding a flow medium in apparatus for filtering and separating the flow medium by reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration wherein filter elements are disposed between adjacent spacer elements which are disc-shaped and each has a central opening with a plurality of spaced openings disposed around the central opening for conducting the flow medium through the spacer element, a plurality of projections extend from the surfaces of the spacer element and have support areas formed at their tops which are oriented essentially parallel to the side surfaces of the spacer element.

Abstract: In a spacer element for guiding a flow medium in apparatus for filtering and separating the flow medium by reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration wherein filter elements are disposed between adjacent spacer elements which are disc-shaped and each has a central opening with a plurality of spaced openings disposed around the central opening for conducting the flow medium through the spacer element, a plurality of projections extend from the surfaces of the spacer element and have support areas formed at their tops which are oriented essentially parallel to the side surfaces of the spacer element.

Abstract: In a spacer element for guiding a flow medium in apparatus for filtering and separating the flow medium by reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration wherein filter elements are disposed between adjacent spacer elements which are disc-shaped and each has a central opening with a plurality of spaced openings disposed around the central opening for conducting the flow medium through the spacer element, a plurality of projections extend from the surfaces of the spacer element and have support areas formed at their tops which are oriented essentially parallel to the side surfaces of the spacer element.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filtering and separating a flow medium by way of membranes disposed in a pressurized housing, which has an inlet for supplying the flow medium to the housing and outlets for discharging the retentate and the permeate from the housing, the membrane structure comprises a central permeate collection and discharge structure to which a plurality of membrane pillows are connected so as to extend therefrom in a spiral pattern and each membrane pillow is in communication with a permeate inlet opening in the permeate collection and discharge structure through which permeate is conducted out of the membrane pillow into the central permeate collection and discharge structure and to the retentate outlet.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filtering and separating a flow medium by way of membranes disposed in a pressurized housing, which has an inlet for supplying the flow medium to the housing and outlets for discharging the retentate and the permeate from the housing, the membrane structure comprises a central permeate collection and discharge structure to which a plurality of membrane pillows are connected so as to extend therefrom in a spiral pattern and each membrane pillow is in communication with a permeate inlet opening in the permeate collection and discharge structure through which permeate is conducted out of the membrane pillow into the central permeate collection and discharge structure and to the retentate outlet.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filtering and separating fluids by reverse osmosis or by micro-, ultra-, and nano filtration, including a plurality of spaced planar filter elements arranged in stacks in spaced relationship so that their surfaces can be contacted by the fluids for the collection of permeate from the fluids within the filter elements, at least one draining rod having a central draining passage extends through the stack of filter elements and has openings disposed in each filter element for collecting the permeate from the respective filter elements, and a vacuum generating means is connected to a permeate discharge which is in communication with the draining rod passages for generating a vacuum in each filter element.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filtering and separating fluids, including a pressure-tight housing having a fluid inlet, a retentate outlet and a permeate outlet, a plurality of stacks of membrane filter elements are arranged in the housing adjacent one another and joined such that the fluid is conducted through the stacks of membrane filter element in a series flow pattern and each stack includes a plurality of spaced membrane pillows arranged in spaced relationship such that the fluid is conducted in a meander-like pattern through the stack.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the purification and/or treatment of communal and/or industrial wastewaters, particularly for use in marine installations, a biologically operated reaction apparatus is provided in which the wastewater to be purified and/or treated is received. In the reaction apparatus, a bio-mass of high concentration is suspended. To this reaction apparatus, the wastewater to be purified and/or treated is supplied. Subsequently, the pre-purified or, respectively, pre-treated wastewater is supplied to a membrane separation apparatus in which it is separated into a permeate and a retentate. The retentate is at least partially returned to the reaction apparatus, whereas the permeate is either discharged as useable or pure water or is returned to the reaction apparatus.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the filtering and separation of flow media rich in foreign matter (raw media) by a membrane separation structure, wherein the flow medium is separated into a retentate enriched with foreign matter and a permeate depleted of foreign matter and wherein at least the permeate is discharged from the apparatus, a membrane separation structure forming a flow medium flow channel is formed by at least one membrane module mounted between two support elements, which are removably disposed in the flow medium spaced from one another in the flow direction of the flow medium through the apparatus.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the treatment of liquids including foreign substances, particularly municipal and commercial waste waters, comprising a membrane separating structure having membrane elements, an inlet for receiving the liquid to be separated and passing it past the membrane elements whereby a permeant portion of the liquid permeates through the membranes and a retent portion becomes enriched with the foreign substances, and outlets for discharging the permeant portion and the retent portion, the membrane elements are arranged so as to form together flow channels extending longitudinally through the apparatus and adapted to guide the liquid straight through the flow channels along the membrane elements.

Abstract: A device for filtering and separating a flow medium by reverse osmosis, micro filtration, ultra filtration, or nano filtration has a pressure-tight housing having an inlet for the flow medium and a first outlet for the retentate and a second outlet for the permeate. A plurality of stacked units comprised of spaced apart membrane filter elements is provided, wherein the membrane filter elements are stacked atop one another to form a stack. The stacked units are sequentially arranged in the housing. The flow medium flows in sequence through the stacked units. Each one of the membrane filter elements includes areal outer membrane elements and an areal stabilizing element positioned between the areal outer membrane elements.

Abstract: A device for filtering and separating a flow medium by reverse osmosis, microfiltration, ultrafiltration or nanofiltration has a pressure-tight housing with an inlet for the flow medium and a first outlet for the retentate and a second outlet for the permeate. A plurality of stacked units comprised of spacer elements and membrane filter elements is provided. The spacer elements and the membrane filter elements are stacked alternatingly atop one another to form a stack. The stacked units further comprise two receptacle parts forming a receptacle for enclosing a stack of spacer elements and membrane filter elements. The stacked units are positioned adjacent to one another in the housing. The flow medium flows in sequence through the stacked units.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering and separating flowing medium by reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration. Disposed in a closed housing is an element stack comprised of disk-shaped spacers and filter elements, with a respective filter element being disposed between each two spacers, about which the flowing medium flows. The housing has a spherical configuration.

Abstract: A spacer element for guiding flowing medium, especially for apparatus for separating the medium by reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration, with a respective filter element being accommodated between each two essentially plate-like spacer elements, about which the medium flows. The spacer element includes a plate member having a rim region in which is provided at least one passage for the flowing medium. The plate member has two oppositely disposed plate-like surfaces, on at least one of which are disposed a plurality of raised bosses that project from the surface, with the filter element resting on the bosses. The filter element is in the form of a diaphragm pad, with the medium flowing on both sides thereof.

Abstract: A spacer for guiding flowing medium, especially in apparatus for filtering and separating flowing medium via reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration. The spacer has a central hole that essentially serves for the clamping together of a plurality of disk-like spacers. A filter element is disposed between each two spacers, with flowing medium flowing about both sides of the filter element. To reduce pressure loss in the flowing medium, a plurality of spaced-apart openings through which flowing medium passes are disposed about the central hole of the spacer.

Abstract: A modular unit as a filtering apparatus for a membrane separation process, especially for treating water by reverse osmosis, includes a pipe which is open at both ends. A stack of membranes adapted to the inner diameter of the pipe can be inserted into the pipe. The stack of filter elements, which includes guide plates, carrier plates, and membranes, is clamped together by a central clamping bolt which passes through the filter element stack between two fixed pressure plates. Located at the peripheries of the pressure plates are inclined circumferential grooves in which are disposed sealing rings which, when excess pressure exists in the interior of the housing, are urged radially and axially outwardly, and thus effect a good seal between the inner wall of the pipe and the peripheries of the pressure plates.