Membrane, membrane contactor, apparatus and method for removal of dissolved oxygen from fluid

A hollow fiber membrane for removal of dissolved oxygen from fluid, wherein the hollow fiber membrane comprises:

• at least one tubular fiber, wherein each tubular fiber comprises:
• an outer wall for contacting fluid external to the tubular fiber;
• at least three inner channel walls for contacting fluid internal of the tubular fiber, wherein each inner channel wall forms a fluid communicating channel;
• and
• a plurality of pores, wherein
• pores proximate to surface of the outer wall for contacting fluid, and
• pores proximate to surface of each inner channel wall for contacting fluid,
• are smaller in size than
• pores located at locations within the outer wall that are non-proximate to the surface of the outer wall for contacting fluid, and
• pores located at locations within the inner channel walls that are non-proximate to the surface of each inner channel wall for contacting fluid,
• wherein the hollow fiber membrane is a porous hydrophobic material configured to prevent water from entering the plurality of pores but to allow gas to enter the plurality of pores,
• wherein a central portion of each tubular fiber surrounded by the fluid communicating channels formed by each inner channel wall has a thickness greater than
• a thickness of the tubular fiber between the outer wall and each inner channel wall, and
• a thickness of the tubular fiber between the at least three inner channel walls.