Apparatus for selective separation of matter through semi-permeable membranes

Apparatus for selectively separating matter between a first fluid and a second fluid through semi-permeable membranes, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of elongated frame assemblies each of which has a first end and a second end and each of which defines an elongated contact chamber for said second fluid;
• a plurality of tubular semi-permeable membranes for said first fluid for each of said frame assemblies, said pluralities of tubular membranes being disposed in said contact chambers of said frame assemblies;
• said frame assemblies being stacked with said elongated contact chambers being in side by side relationship and with said first ends of said frame assemblies arranged at a first end of said stacked frame assemblies and said second ends of said frame assemblies arranged at a second end of said stacked frame assemblies;
• fluid communication means for said stacked frame assemblies for providing fluid communication between said contact chambers of said frame assemblies through which said second fluid is adapted to be conducted;
• a pair of cover plates for said stacked frame assemblies, said cover plates being disposed on opposite sides of said stacked frame assemblies and each having a first end arranged adjacent said first end of said stacked frame assemblies and a second end arranged adjacent said second end of said stacked frame assemblies;
• sealing means for sealing said tubular semi-permeable membranes from said contact chambers so that there is no contact between said first fluid and said second fluid;
• a first end fitting encompassing the outer periphery of said stacked frame assemblies at said first end of said stacked frame assemblies and a second end fitting encompassing the outer periphery of said stacked frame assemblies at said second end of said stacked frame assemblies, said first end fitting and said second end fitting each including means for clamping said stacked frame assemblies between said pair of cover plates to hold said stacked frame assemblies together;
• first inlet means for said first fluid for introducing said first fluid into said tubular semi-permeable membranes and first outlet means for said first fluid for withdrawing said first fluid from said tubular semi-permeable membranes, said first inlet means being in said first end fitting and said first outlet means being in said second end fitting;
• second inlet means for said second fluid for introducing said second fluid into at least one of said contact chambers;
• and
• second outlet means for said second fluid for withdrawing said second fluid from said contact chambers whereby said second fluid is conducted substantially throughout said contact chambers of said stacked frame assemblies around said tubular semi-permeable membranes supported therein to selectively separate matter between said first and second fluids.

Apparatus for selectively separating matter between a first fluid and a second fluid through semi-permeable membranes, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of elongated frame assemblies each of which has a first end and a second end and each of which defines an elongated contact chamber for said second fluid;
• a plurality of tubular semi-permeable membranes for said first fluid for each of said frame assemblies, said pluralities of tubular membranes being disposed in said contact chambers of said frame assemblies;
• said frame assemblies being stacked with said elongated contact chambers being in side by side relationship and with said first ends of said frame assemblies arranged at a first end of said stacked frame assemblies and said second ends of said frame assemblies arranged at a second end of said stacked frame assemblies;
• fluid communication means for said stacked frame assemblies for providing fluid communication between said contact chambers of said frame assemblies through which said second fluid is adapted to be conducted;
• a pair of cover plates for said stacked frame assemblies, said cover plates being disposed on opposite sides of said stacked frame assemblies and each having a first end arranged adjacent said first end of said stacked frame assemblies and a second end arranged adjacent said second end of said stacked frame assemblies;
• sealing means for sealing said tubular semi-permeable membranes from said contact chambers so that there is no contact between said first fluid and said second fluid;
• a first end fitting encompassing the outer periphery of said stacked frame assemblies at said first end of said stacked frame assemblies and a second end fitting encompassing the outer periphery of said stacked frame assemblies at said second end of said stacked frame assemblies, said first end fitting and said second end fitting each including means for clamping said stacked frame assemblies between said pair of cover plates to hold said stacked frame assemblies together;
• first inlet means for said first fluid for introducing said first fluid into said tubular semi-permeable membranes and first outlet means for said first fluid for withdrawing said first fluid from said tubular semi-permeable membranes, said first inlet means being said first end fitting and said first outlet means being in said second end fitting;
• second inlet means for said second fluid for introducing said second fluid into at least one of said contact chambers, said second inlet means being in said second end fitting;
• and
• second outlet means for said second fluid for withdrawing said second fluid from said contact chambers, said second outlet means being in said first end fitting, whereby said second fluid is conducted substantially throughout said contact chambers of said stacked frame assemblies around said tubular semi-permeable membranes supported therein to selectively separate matter between said first and second fluids.

Apparatus for selectively separating matter between a first fluid and a second fluid through semi-permeable membranes, said apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of elongated frame assemblies each of which has a first end and a second end and each of which defines an elongated contact chamber for said second fluid;
• a plurality of tubular semi-permeable membranes for said first fluid for each of said frame assemblies, said pluralities of tubular membranes being disposed in said contact chambers of said frame assemblies;
• said frame assemblies being stacked with said elongated contact chambers being in side by side relationship and with said first ends of said frame assemblies arranged at a first end of said stacked frame assemblies and said second ends of said frame assemblies arranged at a second end of said stacked frame assemblies;
• fluid communication means for said stacked frame assemblies for providing fluid communication between said contact chambers of said frame assemblies through which said second fluid is adapted to be conducted;
• a pair of cover plates for said stacked frame assemblies, said cover plates being disposed on opposite sides of said stacked frame assemblies and each having a first end arranged adjacent said first end of said stacked frame assemblies and a second end arranged adjacent said second end of said stacked frame assemblies;
• sealing means for sealing said tubular semi-permeable membranes from said contact chambers so that there is no contact between said first fluid and said second fluid;
• a first end fitting encompassing the outer periphery of said stacked frame assemblies at said first end of said stacked frame assemblies and a second end fitting encompassing the outer periphery of said stacked frame assemblies at said second end of said stacked frame assemblies, said first end fitting and said second end fitting each including means for clamping said stacked frame assemblies between said pair of cover plates to hold said stacked frame assemblies together, said means for clamping said frame assemblies together comprising elongated legs on each of said first and second end fittings which extend along the outside surface of the elongated sides of said frame assemblies of said stacked frame assemblies and which engage said pair of cover plates to hold said cover plates together;
• inlet means for said first fluid for introducing said first fluid into said tubular semi-permeable membranes and outlet means for said first fluid for withdrawing said first fluid from said tubular semi-permeable membranes;
• inlet means for said second fluid for introducing said second fluid into at least one of said contact chambers;
• and
• outlet means for said second fluid for withdrawing said second fluid from said contact chambers whereby said second fluid is conducted substantially throughout said contact chambers of said stacked frame assemblies around said tubular semi-permeable membranes supported therein to selectively separate matter between said first and second fluids.