Header for module of hollow fiber membranes and method of potting hollow fibers
AssigneeZenon Technology Partnership
InventorsRobert Szabo, Gabor Bakos, Attila Palinkas, Steven Pedersen
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Abstract
Hollow fiber membranes are potted by injection molding a thermoplastic material into a cavity containing the fibers. The cavity is formed in part by the interaction of a mold and a layer of an adhesive pre-applied to a bundle of the membranes.
Claims15
A hollow fiber membrane module wherein the membranes are potted entirely in one or more thermoplastic materials that is/are solid at operating temperatures of the module but was/were applied at a temperature above its/their melting point.
A method of potting hollow fiber membranes comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a bundle of hollow fiber membranes, the membranes held together by a layer of adhesive material spaced from the ends of the membranes to provide a potting region between the layer of adhesive material and the ends of the membranes;
- b) placing the bundle of membranes in a mold wherein the mold seals against the adhesive material to form a cavity surround the potting region;
- c) injecting a liquid potting material into the cavity such that the potting material flows around the membranes;
- d) solidifying the potting material in a seal with the membranes;
- and,
- e) removing the bundle of membranes from the mold.
A bundle of potted hollow fiber membranes comprising:
- a) an array of hollow fiber membranes;
- b) a layer of adhesive surrounding and connecting the membranes;
- and,
- c) a layer of a thermoplastic polymer sealed to and between the membranes,
- wherein the layer of thermoplastic polymer extends from the layer of adhesive to a point at or spaced from the ends of the membranes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.