US 5,176,828 AGranted

Manifold segment stack with intermediate feed manifold

AssigneeMillipore Corporation

InventorAndrew Proulx

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A tangential flow filtration apparatus which utilizes a single manifold formed of a stack of manifold segments to introduce liquid to be filtered into the apparatus and to remove a filtrate stream and a retentate stream from the apparatus is provided. A plurality of filtration modules are stacked between the manifold and a plate. Holes and sealing means are provided within the filtration modules to effect flow of the filtrate, retentate and feed liquid through the stack and manifold while preventing admixture of the filtrate with the retentate or the feed liquid. A feed manifold is positioned at an intermediate position within the stack of manifold segments. All manifold segments with the exception of the most downstream manifold segment or most upstream manifold segment from the point of introducing incoming liquid must have a filtrate exit from both ends of the manifold segment. The most downstream or the most upstream manifold segment also can have filtrate exits from both of its ends.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A manifold apparatus which comprises a first set of manifold segments, a second set of manifold segments and a feed manifold connected to and positioned between said first set of manifold segments and said second set of manifold segments,

said first set of manifold segments being interconnected with a first internal feed conduit, a first internal retentate conduit and a first internal filtrate conduit positioned between said first internal feed conduit and said first internal retentate conduit,
said second set of manifold segments being interconnected with a second internal feed conduit, a second internal retentate conduit and a second internal filtrate conduit positioned between said second internal feed conduit and said second internal retentate conduit,
each of said manifold segments connected to and in fluid communication with filtration module apparatus adapted to separate a feed liquid into a retentate and a filtrate,
said feed manifold having a third internal feed conduit connecting said first internal feed conduit and said second internal feed conduit,
a feed inlet on said feed manifold in fluid communication with said third internal feed conduit,
retentate removal means connected with said first internal retentate conduit and said second internal retentate conduit for removing retentate from said manifold apparatus,
and filtrate removal means connected with said first internal filtrate conduit and said second internal filtrate conduit.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/770,796Filed 3 Oct 1991 · continuation in part
Priority: 4 Feb 1991
Granted: 5 Jan 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

B01D 63/084
Comprising a stack of flat membranes: at least one flow duct intersecting the membranes
B01D 63/082
Flat membrane modules: comprising a stack of flat membranes
B01D 65/00
Accessories or auxiliary operations, in general, for separation processes or apparatus using
B01D
Separation