Apparatus for separation and for treatment of fluid feedstreams, wafers for use therein and related methods

A method for the treatment of fluid feedstreams comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one wafer comprising
• a central area providing a plurality of alternating first and second layers, said first layers being selected from the group consisting of hollow fibers and porous tubes coated with a semipermeable membrane and said second layers being selected from the group consisting of non-porous tubes, porous tubes coated with a semipermeable membrane and transverse sheet membrane sleeves, and
• continuous peripheral support means having an outside surface and encompassing said central area, said first and second layers terminating at said outside surface;
• arranged axially in a module having
• first and second ports;
• a plurality of bore fluid chambers separate from and generally encompassing said peripheral support means and communicable with said first and second layers;
• and
• a plurality of separate bore fluid ports communicable with said bore fluid chambers;
• directing the feedstream through said first port and over said wafer;
• and
• transferring materials between at least one of said first layers, the feedstream and an opposed pair of said bore fluid chambers or said second layers, the feedstream and an opposed second pair of said bore fluid chambers.

A method for the treatment of fluid feedstreams comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one wafer comprising
• a central area providing a plurality of members arranged in a plurality of stacked layers;
• first continuous peripheral support means encompassing said central area;
• second continuous peripheral support means, carried radially outwardly from said first peripheral support means;
• and
• a plurality of separate bore fluid chambers defined between said first and second peripheral support means and communicable with said central area;
• arranged axially in a module having
• first and second ports;
• and
• a plurality of separate bore fluid ports communicable with said bore fluid chambers;
• directing the feedstream through said first port and over said wafer;
• and
• transferring materials between said central area in said wafer and the feedstream.

A method for the treatment of fluid feedstreams comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one wafer comprising
• a central area providing a plurality of alternating first and second layers, said first layers being selected from the group consisting of hollow fibers and porous tubes coated with a semipermeable membrane and said second layers being selected from the group consisting of non-porous tubes, porous tubes coated with a semipermeable membrane and transverse sheet membrane sleeves, and
• continuous peripheral support means having an outside surface and encompassing said central area, said first and second layers terminating at said outside surface;
• arranged axially in a module having
• first and second ports;
• a plurality of bore fluid chambers separate from and generally encompassing said peripheral support means and communicable with said first and second layers within said central area;
• and
• a plurality of separate bore fluid ports communicable with said bore fluid chambers;
• providing a transport medium in said module;
• feeding the feedstream through at least one opposed pair of said bore fluid chambers, said peripheral support means and into at least one of said first or second layers for exposure to said transport medium;
• and
• removing a portion of the feedstream through said peripheral support means and an opposed second pair of said bore fluid chambers.

A method for the treatment of fluid feedstreams comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one wafer comprising
• a central area providing a plurality of members arranged in a plurality of stacked layers;
• first continuous peripheral support means encompassing said central area;
• second continuous peripheral support means, carried radially outwardly from said first peripheral support means;
• and
• a plurality of separate bore fluid chambers defined between said first and second peripheral support means and communicable with said central area;
• arranged axially in a module having
• first and second ports;
• and
• a plurality of separate bore fluid ports communicable with said bore fluid chambers;
• providing a transport medium in said module;
• feeding the feedstream through at least one of said bore fluid chambers, said peripheral support means and into said central area for exposure to said transport medium;
• and
• removing a portion of the feedstream through said peripheral support means and another of said bore fluid chambers.