Cross-flow membrane filtration channel

A filtration module used in filtration of a liquid feed, the module comprising a plurality of cross-flow membrane filtration channels comprising:

• the liquid feed in the channels, the liquid feed comprising particulate foulants;
• and
• each of the channels in the plurality of cross-flow membrane filtration channels comprises a channel selected from at least one of:
• A) a cross-flow membrane filtration channel comprising:
• an inlet and an outlet, wherein a centreline of the channel is defined from the inlet to the outlet, wherein a direction of flow of the liquid feed in the channel is defined along the centreline from the inlet to the outlet of the channel;
• and
• at least one liquid-permeable membrane configured for filtration of the particulate foulants in the liquid feed based on size of the particulate foulants and for filtered liquid permeate to pass through the at least one liquid-permeable membrane, the channel being defined by the at least one liquid-permeable membrane,
• wherein at least one surface of the channel is inclined at an angle away from a centreline of the channel in a direction of liquid feed flow in the channel, and
• wherein the at least one surface comprises the at least one liquid-permeable membrane;
• B) a cross-flow membrane filtration channel comprising:
• an inlet and an outlet, wherein a centreline of the channel is defined from the inlet to the outlet, wherein a direction of flow of the liquid feed in the channel is defined along the centreline from the inlet to the outlet of the channel;
• and
• at least one liquid-permeable membrane configured for filtration of the particulate foulants in the liquid feed based on size of the particulate foulants and for filtered liquid permeate to pass through the at least one liquid-permeable membrane, the channel being defined by the at least one liquid-permeable membrane,
• wherein at least one surface of the channel is inclined at an angle away from the centreline of the channel in the direction of liquid feed flow in the channel,
• wherein the at least one surface comprises the at least one liquid-permeable membrane, and
• wherein the at least one liquid-permeable membrane is one of:
• a flat sheet membrane, a tubular membrane, or a hollow fibre membrane;
• C) a cross-flow membrane filtration channel comprising:
• an inlet and an outlet, wherein a centreline of the channel is defined from the inlet to the outlet, wherein a direction of flow of the liquid feed in the channel is defined along the centreline from the inlet to the outlet of the channel;
• and
• at least one liquid-permeable membrane configured for filtration of the particulate foulants in the liquid feed based on size of the particulate foulants and for filtered liquid permeate to pass through the at least one liquid-permeable membrane, the channel being defined by the at least one liquid-permeable membrane,
• wherein at least one surface of the channel is inclined at an angle away from the centreline of the channel in the direction of liquid feed flow in the channel,
• wherein the at least one surface comprises the at least one liquid-permeable membrane, and
• wherein the channel comprises two liquid-permeable membranes forming two surfaces and both surfaces are inclined away from the centreline of the channel in the direction of liquid feed flow in the channel;
• or
• D) a cross-flow membrane filtration channel comprising:
• an inlet and an outlet, wherein a centreline of the channel is defined from the inlet to the outlet, wherein a direction of flow of the liquid feed in the channel is defined along the centreline from the inlet to the outlet of the channel;
• and
• at least one liquid-permeable membrane configured for filtration of the particulate foulants in the liquid feed based on size of the particulate foulants and for filtered liquid permeate to pass through the at least one liquid-permeable membrane, the channel being defined by the at least one liquid-permeable membrane,
• wherein at least one surface of the channel is inclined at an angle away from the centreline of the channel in the direction of liquid feed flow in the channel, and
• wherein the at least one surface comprises a non-permeable wall of the channel, and
• wherein the particulate foulants in the liquid feed in each of the channels embark on trajectories away from the respective at least one liquid-permeable membrane to thereby reduce fouling of the respective at least one liquid-permeable membrane.