Separation systems, elements, and methods for separation utilizing stacked membranes and spacers
AssigneePorifera, Inc.
InventorsCharles Benton, Olgica Bakajin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An example separation system includes a stack of membrane plate assemblies. An example membrane plate assembly may include membranes bonded to opposite sides of a spacer plate. The spacer plate may include a first opening in fluid communication with a region between the membranes, and a second opening in fluid communication with a region between membrane plate assemblies. Adjacent membrane plate assemblies in the stack may have alternating orientations such that bonding areas for adjacent membranes in the stack may be staggered. Accordingly, two isolated flows may be provided which may be orthogonal from one another.
Claims29
A separation system comprising:
- membrane plate assemblies, wherein each of the membrane plate assemblies comprise:
- a spacer plate comprising a spacing region, wherein the spacer plate at least partially defines at least a first opening and at least a second opening, wherein the spacer plate comprises a first surface having a first bonding area and an opposing second surface having a second bonding area;
- a first membrane bonded to the first surface at the first bonding area;
- a second membrane bonded to the second surface at the second bonding area;
- wherein the membrane plate assemblies form a stack, with adjacent membrane plate assemblies in the stack having alternating orientations and the first surface and the second surface having a staggered position with respect to one another;
- wherein the first opening is in fluid communication with a region between the first and second membranes defining a first flow path;
- and
- support plates coupled to hold the membrane elements in a stack, wherein at least one of the support plates defines at least one fluid port.
A method comprising:
- transporting a first fluid in a first direction in regions between certain ones of a plurality of membranes;
- transporting a second fluid in a second direction in other regions between other ones of the plurality of membranes;
- wherein the first and second fluids each comprise solutes, wherein the concentration of a solute is higher in the first fluid such that the concentration of a solute in the second fluid is increased at least in pan by fluid transport across the membranes;
- and
- wherein the first and second directions are perpendicular directions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.