Abstract: An end member (3A) for a spiral separation membrane element includes: an inner annular portion (31); an outer annular portion (32) surrounding the inner annular portion (31) at a distance from the inner annular portion (31); a plurality of connecting portions (33) connecting the inner annular portion (31) and the outer annular portion (32); and a shield plate (34) disposed between at least one pair of the connecting portions (33) and forming an opening (41) between the shield plate (34) and the outer annular portion (32). According to this configuration, a radially outwardly spreading flow is formed by the shield plate (34), and therefore suspended solids in a feed liquid can be effectively directed to the peripheral region.

Abstract: A spiral-wound forward osmosis membrane element (2) includes: a membrane leaf (23) in which an internal flow path extending from a first opening (26A) to a second opening (26B) is formed; and a central tube (31) around which the membrane leaf (23) is wound and which has a feed hole (31A) communicating with the first opening (26A) and a collection hole (31B) communicating with the second opening (26B). The central tube (31) has an interior partitioned to include an inflow region (3A) communicating with the feed hole (31A) and an outflow region (3B) communicating with the collection hole (31B) so that the inflow region (3A) and the outflow region (3B) each form a flow path extending continuously in an axial direction of the central tube (31) from one end to the other end of the central tube (3).

Abstract: Provided are an inexpensive, high-quality, permeation-side flow path material that is suitable for use in spiral membrane elements and enables the improvement of productivity, a method for producing such a permeation-side flow path material, and a membrane element having such a permeation-side flow path material. Provided are (a) a permeation-side flow path material for use in a spiral membrane element, the permeation-side flow path material comprising a resin sheet comprising a plurality of ridge portions 31 formed parallel to one another; and a plurality of openings 32 formed between each pair of the ridge portions 31, (b) a method for producing such a permeation-side flow path material, and (c) a membrane element having such a permeation-side flow path material.

Abstract: A spiral membrane element that can reduce the dimension increase in the length direction is provided. Also, a method for producing a spiral membrane element is provided having a step of forming a fiber reinforced resin layer having a reinforcing fiber layer and a strengthening fiber layer. The spiral membrane element is provided with a cylindrical wound body in which a separation membrane, a feed-side channel material, and a permeate-side channel material in a laminated state are wound in a spiral form around a center tube having a hole, and a sealing part for preventing feed-side fluid and permeate-side fluid from being mixed with each other, wherein a fiber reinforced resin layer having a reinforcing fiber layer and a strengthening fiber layer enclosed and buried with the same resin is provided on an outer circumferential side of the cylindrical wound body.

Abstract: A spiral separation membrane element (1A) includes: a wound body (3) including a separation membrane; a core tube (2) that penetrates the wound body (3) along the central axis of the wound body (3); and a joining portion (4) that joins the wound body (3) to the core tube (2) at at least one end face (3a) of the wound body (3). The joining portion (4) has a holding portion (41) disposed inwardly of the end face (3a) of the wound body (3) and an extending portion (42) formed integrally with the holding portion (41). The spiral separation membrane element (1A) further includes a restraining member (5A) that secures the extending portion (42) to the core tube (2).

Abstract: A flow path member (10) includes: a first net (11) having first filaments (11A) and second filaments (11B) that are joined together so that the first filaments (11A) extend in a first direction and form one surface of the first net (11) and the second filaments (11B) extend in a second direction that intersects the first direction and form the other surface of the first net (11); and second nets (12) each having smoother surfaces than the surfaces of the first net (11). The second nets (12) are disposed on both sides of the first net (11). Thus, damage to a separation membrane is reduced and pressure drop is reduced.

Abstract: A separation membrane module (1A) includes: a tubular pressure container (7); a plurality of separation membrane elements (2) inserted in the pressure container (7) and each having a first end member (3) and a second end member (4); and a sealing member (5A) mounted on one of or both the first end member (3) and the second end member (4) that are adjacent to each other. In a normal condition, the sealing member (5A) is located radially inward of a maximum diameter portion of the first end member (3) and/or the second end member (4) on which the sealing member (5A) is mounted. The sealing member (5A) is deformed due to contact between the adjacent separation membrane elements (2) or due to supply of a pressurized liquid into the pressure container (7), and comes into close contact with an inner circumferential face (7a) of the pressure container (7).

Abstract: A spiral-wound forward osmosis membrane element (2) includes: a membrane leaf (23) in which an internal flow path extending from a first opening (26A) to a second opening (26B) is formed; and a central tube (31) around which the membrane leaf (23) is wound and which has a feed hole (31A) communicating with the first opening (26A) and a collection hole (31B) communicating with the second opening (26B). The central tube (31) has an interior partitioned to include an inflow region (3A) communicating with the feed hole (31A) and an outflow region (3B) communicating with the collection hole (31B) so that the inflow region (3A) and the outflow region (3B) each form a flow path extending continuously in an axial direction of the central tube (31) from one end to the other end of the central tube (3).

Abstract: An end member (3A) for a spiral separation membrane element includes: an inner annular portion (31); an outer annular portion (32) surrounding the inner annular portion (31) at a distance from the inner annular portion (31); a plurality of connecting portions (33) connecting the inner annular portion (31) and the outer annular portion (32); and a shield plate (34) disposed between at least one pair of the connecting portions (33) and forming an opening (41) between the shield plate (34) and the outer annular portion (32). According to this configuration, a radially outwardly spreading flow is formed by the shield plate (34), and therefore suspended solids in a feed liquid can be effectively directed to the peripheral region.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite semipermeable membrane having an excellent resistance property to contamination, particularly an excellent resistance property to microbial contamination, and a water treatment method using the composite semipermeable membrane. The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane comprising a skin layer formed on the surface of a porous support and containing a polyamide-based resin obtained by reacting a polyfunctional amine component with a polyfunctional acid halide component, wherein an antibacterial layer containing a silver-based antibacterial agent and a polymer component is formed on the skin layer directly or with other layer interposed therebetween, and the weight ratio between the silver-based antibacterial agent and the polymer component in the antibacterial layer is 55:45 to 95:5 (silver-based antibacterial agent:polymer component).

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite semipermeable membrane having an excellent resistance property to contamination, particularly an excellent resistance property to microbial contamination, and a water treatment method using the composite semipermeable membrane. The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane comprising a skin layer formed on the surface of a porous support and containing a polyamide-based resin obtained by reacting a polyfunctional amine component with a polyfunctional acid halide component, wherein an antibacterial layer containing a silver-based antibacterial agent and a polymer component is formed on the skin layer directly or with other layer interposed therebetween, and the weight ratio between the silver-based antibacterial agent and the polymer component in the antibacterial layer is 55:45 to 95:5 (silver-based antibacterial agent:polymer component).

Abstract: A spiral separation membrane element (1A) includes: a wound body (3) including a separation membrane; a core tube (2) that penetrates the wound body (3) along the central axis of the wound body (3); and a joining portion (4) that joins the wound body (3) to the core tube (2) at at least one end face (3a) of the wound body (3). The joining portion (4) has a holding portion (41) disposed inwardly of the end face (3a) of the wound body (3) and an extending portion (42) formed integrally with the holding portion (41). The spiral separation membrane element (1A) further includes a restraining member (5A) that secures the extending portion (42) to the core tube (2).

Abstract: Provided are a connection member capable of preventing leakage from a supply side to a permeating side from occurring by a simple means; and a separation membrane module using the connection member. The connection member (20) is used to connect in series a plurality of separation membrane elements equipped with end surface holding members (36) and to install the separation membrane elements in a pressure-resistant vessel (38). The connection member (20) is characterized in that, when the separation membrane elements are connected to each other, the connection member is engaged with respective grooves (36b) of the end surface holding members (36) adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A separation membrane module (1A) includes: a tubular pressure container (7); a plurality of separation membrane elements (2) inserted in the pressure container (7) and each having a first end member (3) and a second end member (4); and a sealing member (5A) mounted on one of or both the first end member (3) and the second end member (4) that are adjacent to each other. In a normal condition, the sealing member (5A) is located radially inward of a maximum diameter portion of the first end member (3) and/or the second end member (4) on which the sealing member (5A) is mounted. The sealing member (5A) is deformed due to contact between the adjacent separation membrane elements (2) or due to supply of a pressurized liquid into the pressure container (7), and comes into close contact with an inner circumferential face (7a) of the pressure container (7).

Abstract: The spiral separation membrane element of the present invention includes: a perforated hollow tube (1) having a plurality of perforations (2) leading from an outer peripheral surface to an inner peripheral surface thereof; and a stack that includes a separation membrane and a passage member and that is wound around the perforated hollow tube (1). A bottomed recessed portion (3) is provided in a region covered by the stack on the outer peripheral surface of the perforated hollow tube (1). According to the present invention, permeated liquid flows into the bottomed recessed portion (3). Since the permeated liquid can flow smoothly in the bottomed recessed portion (3), the resistance to the permeated liquid can be reduced. As a result, the pressure loss can be reduced and the amount of the permeated liquid can be increased.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a spiral separation membrane element that can reduce the pressure loss of a feed-side channel and be much less vulnerable to the problem of inhibition or blockage of the flow in the feed-side channel. The spiral separation membrane element includes one or more separation membranes, one or more feed-side channel components, one or more permeation-side channel components, and a perforated hollow core tube around which the separation membranes, the feed-side channel components and the permeation-side channel components are wrapped, wherein the feed-side channel component is a net formed by fusion bonding.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spiral membrane element that can form a uniform fiber reinforcement layer on an outer circumferential surface by a simple process without a great change in the materials, as well as a process for producing the same. The spiral membrane element of the present invention is a spiral membrane element which is provided with a cylindrical roll R in which a separation membrane, a feed-side flow passageway member, and a permeate-side flow passageway member 3 are spirally wound in a laminate state around a perforated center tube 5 and in which a sealing part for preventing mixing of feed-side fluid and permeate-side fluid is disposed, wherein at least one sheet of the permeate-side flow passageway member 3 has a fiber cloth 23a extended or connected to the outer circumferential side, and the fiber cloth 23a is wound around an outer circumference of said cylindrical roll R, impregnated with a resin and hardened to thereby form a fiber reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A spiral membrane module where membrane elements are easily connected to each other and the connection thereof is prevented from being loosened. The spiral membrane elements (20) are each formed in multiple layers by winding membranes and channel materials around a center tube (3) having holes and are received in a pressure vessel (10) such that they are connected in series with connection mechanisms (J) placed between the membrane elements (20). Each connection mechanism (J) has a movable member (M) installed at either the upstream side end part or the downstream side end part of each membrane element (20) and having an engagement part (9d) engageable with the other of the upstream side end or the downstream side end. The movable member (M) has a contact part (9c) coming into contact with the inner wall (10a) of the pressure vessel (10) and locking the engagement by the engagement part (9d).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spiral membrane element that can form a uniform fiber reinforcement layer on an outer circumferential surface by a simple process without a great change in the materials, as well as a process for producing the same. The spiral membrane element of the present invention is a spiral membrane element which is provided with a cylindrical roll R in which a separation membrane, a feed-side flow passageway member, and a permeate-side flow passageway member 3 are spirally wound in a laminate state around a perforated center tube 5 and in which a sealing part for preventing mixing of feed-side fluid and permeate-side fluid is disposed, wherein at least one sheet of the permeate-side flow passageway member 3 has a fiber cloth 23a extended or connected to the outer circumferential side, and the fiber cloth 23a is wound around an outer circumference of said cylindrical roll R, impregnated with a resin and hardened to thereby form a fiber reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A feed side passage material is provided in which sufficient antibacterial activity is obtained even in the spaces among constituent yarns and which hence can effectively prevent biofouling. Also provided is a spiral separation-membrane element employing the feed side passage material. The feed side passage material, which is for use in a spiral separation-membrane element, is a feed side passage material in a net form constituted of yarns (1 and 2) containing a chlorophenol compound antibacterial. The spiral separation-membrane element comprises a perforated hollow core tube and, wound therearound, one or more separation membranes, one or more feed side passage materials, and one or more permeate side passage materials. The element is characterized in that the feed side passage materials each is said feed side passage material.