# US 5,332,498 A · Integrated hollow fiber membrane permeators and method of fabricating integrated permeators > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,332,498 A - Document ID: US5332498A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/060,345 - Filed: 1993-05-11 - Granted: 1994-07-26 - Earliest claimed: 1992-10-13 - Assignees: Transfair Corporation - Inventors: Jan Rogut - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5332498A ## CPC - B01D 63/02: Hollow fibre modules - B01D 63/0231: {using supporting structures, e.g. filaments for weaving mats} - B01D 63/031: {Two or more types of hollow fibres within one bundle or within one potting or tube-sheet} - B01D 63/04: comprising multiple hollow fibre assemblies - B01D 63/043: {with separate tube sheets} - B01D 2313/025: Specific membrane holders - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract An integrated hollow fiber membrane permeator includes a plurality of groups of hollow fibers of permeable membrane material having internal flow channels extending therethrough with opposite first and second ends thereof open at opposite first and second end portions of the hollow fibers. The integrated permeator also include at least one elongated solid non-permeable support body encapsulating and supporting interiorly at least one of the respective opposite end portions of the hollow fibers. The solid non-permeable support body contains interiorly a plurality of flow disbribution passages which intersect and communicate with the open ends of the one of the respective opposite end portions of the hollow fibers. The solid non-permeable support body also has at least one external port opening to the exterior thereof and contains at least one flow feed passage communicating the plurality of flow distribution passages to the one external port. In other embodiments of the integrated permeator the other of the respective opposite end portions of the groups of hollow fibers are either free of or can be encapsulated by the one elongated solid non-permeable support body. In still another embodiment, the integrated permeator includes a second elongated solid non-permeable support body encapsulating and supporting interiorly the other of the respective opposite end portions of the groups of hollow fibers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An integrated hollow fiber membrane permeator, comprising: (a) at least first and second groups of hollow fibers of permeable membrane material, each of said hollow fibers of said groups having first and second spaced opposite end portions and an elongated main portion extending between and interconnecting said first and second opposite end portions, each of said hollow fibers of each group also having an internal flow channel extending through said main portion, said internal flow channel having first and second ends at said first and second opposite end portions of said hollow fiber; and (b) at least one elongated solid non-permeable support body encapsulating and supporting interiorly one of said first and second opposite end portions of said hollow fibers of said groups and containing interiorly at least first and second flow distribution passages communicating respectively with corresponding ones of said first and second ends of said internal flow channels of said hollow fibers of said groups, said one elongated solid non-permeable support body also having at least one external port opening to the exterior thereof and containing at least one flow feed passage communicating said first and second flow distribution passages to said one external port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said main portion and other of said first and second opposite end portions of said hollow fibers of said groups are free of said one elongated solid non-permeable support body so as to provide a carpet-like configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said first and second flow passages in said one elongated solid non-permeable support body extend substantially transverse to one of said first and second opposite end portions of said hollow fibers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said one elongated solid non-permeable support body is formed of a material capable of transforming from a fluid state to a solidified state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said one elongated solid non-permeable support body is formed of a resinous material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said one elongated solid non-permeable support body is formed of an epoxy-based hardened glue. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said one elongated solid non-permeable support body is formed of an adhesive material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said one elongated solid non-permeable body is formed of layers of different materials. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said one elongated solid non-permeable body is formed of a silicon material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said one elongated solid non-permeable body is formed of a polyurethane material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said one elongated solid non-permeable body is formed of the same material as said hollow fibers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said first and second flow distribution passages in said elongated solid non-permeable body are spaced from one another and laterally offset from one another. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein said elongated solid non-permeable body includes: at least one permeable semi-rigid support screen; and a semi-flexible material having a first elongated portion impregnating and attached to said support screen and a second elongated portion merging from said first elongated portion and projecting from a side of said support screen, said first and second flow distribution passages and said flow feed passages being defined in said second elongated portion of said material and said first and second end portions of said hollow fibers being encapsulated in said second elongated portion of said material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The integrated permeator of claim 13 wherein said first and second flow distribution passages in said elongated solid non-permeable body are spaced from one another and are substantially aligned with one another. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 wherein the other of said first and second opposite end portions of said hollow fibers of said groups are also encapsulated and supported by said one elongated solid non-permeable body interiorly thereof such that the others of said first and second ends of said internal flow channels of said hollow fibers of said group are in communication with said first and second flow distribution passages in said one elongated solid non-permeable body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The integrated permeator of claim 15 wherein: said first and second opposite end portions of said hollow fibers of said first group communicate with said first and second flow distribution passages; and said first and second opposite ends portions of said hollow fibers of said second group communicate with said first and second flow distribution passages. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The integrated permeator of claim 15 wherein said main portions of said hollow fibers are arranged in the shape of loops so to provide a carpet-like configuration. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The integrated permeator of claim 1 further comprising: at least a second elongated solid non-permeable body encapsulating and supporting interiorly the other of said first and second opposite end portions of each of said hollow fibers of said groups and containing interiorly at least first and second flow distribution passages communicating respectively with corresponding others of said first and second ends of said internal flow channels of said hollow fibers of said groups, said second elongated solid non-permeable body also having at least one external port opening to the exterior thereof and containing at least one flow feed passage communicating said first and second flow distribution passages to said one external port. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein: said first and second opposite end portions of said hollow fibers of said first group communicate with said first flow distribution passages of said elongated solid non-permeable bodies and said first and second opposite ends portions of said hollow fibers of said second group communicate with said second flow distribution passages. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein said first and second flow distribution passages in said elongated solid non-permeable bodies extend substantially transverse to said first and second opposite end portions of said hollow fibers. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein said one elongated solid non-permeable support body is formed of a material capable of transforming from a fluid state to a solidified state. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein said first and second elongated solid non-permeable bodies are formed of a resinous material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein said first and second elongated solid non-permeable bodies are formed of an epoxy-based hardened glue. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein said first and second elongated solid mon-permeable bodies are formed of an adhesive material. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein said first and second elongated solid non-permeable bodies are formed of layers of different materials. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein said first and second elongated solid non-permeable bodies are formed of a silicon material. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein said first and second elongated solid non-permeable bodies are formed of a polyurethane material. ### Claim 28 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein said first and second elongated solid non-permeable bodies are formed of the same material as said hollow fibers. ### Claim 29 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein said first and second flow distribution passages in each of said elongated solid non-permeable bodies are spaced from one another and laterally offset from one another. ### Claim 30 (depends on 18) The integrated permeator of claim 18 wherein each of said elongated solid non-permeable bodies includes: at least one permeable semi-rigid support screen; and a semi-flexible material having a first elongated portion impregnating and attached to said support screen and a second elongated portion merging from said first elongated portion and projecting from a side of said support screen, said first and second flow distribution passages and said flow feed passage being defined in said second elongated portion of said material and said first and second end portions of said hollow fibers being encapsulated in said second elongated portion of said material. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The integrated permeator of claim 30 wherein said first and second flow distribution passages in each of said elongated solid non-permeable body are spaced from one another and are substantially aligned with one another. ### Claim 32 A method of fabricating an integrated hollow fiber membrane permeator, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a first layer of a glue-type material in a fluid state onto a non-stick surface; (b) applying a portion of a first group of hollow fibers of permeable membrane material having internal flow channels upon the first layer of glue-type material while still in the fluid state and before transforming to a solid state so as to encapsulate the applied portions of the hollow fibers of the first group into the first layer of glue-type material; (c) after transforming of the first layer of glue-type material to the solid state, forming in the first layer and in the applied portion of the hollow fibers of the first group encapsulated and supported therein a first flow distribution passage so as to intersect and communicate with the internal flow channels of the hollow fibers of the first group; and (d) applying a second layer of glue-type material in a fluid state over the first flow distribution passage formed in the first layer and in the applied portion of the hollow fibers of the first group so as to cause the second layer to overlie and adhere to the first layer and thereby encapsulate the first flow distribution passage and the applied portion of the hollow fibers between the first and second layers of glue-type material after transforming of the second layer to a solid state. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32 further comprising the steps of: applying a support screen having internal spaces on the support surface; and then applying the first layer in the fluid state over the support screen so as to impregnate the internal spaces of the screen. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32 further comprising the steps of: (e) applying a third layer of a glue-type material in a fluid state onto the second layer; (f) applying a portion of a second group of hollow fibers of permeable membrane material having internal flow channels upon the third layer of glue-type material while still in the fluid state and before transforming to a solid state so as to encapsulate the applied portions of the hollow fibers of the second group into the third layer of glue-type material; (c) after transforming of the third layer of glue-type material to the solid state, forming in the layer strip and in the applied portion of the hollow fibers of the second group encapsulated and supported therein a second flow distribution passage so as to intersect and communicate with the internal flow channels of the hollow fibers of the second group; and (d) applying a fourth layer of glue-type material in a fluid state over the second flow distribution passage formed in the third layer and in the applied portion of the hollow fibers of the second group so as to cause the fourth layer to overlie and adhere to the first layer and thereby encapsulate the second flow distribution passage and the applied portion of the hollow fibers of the second group between the third and fourth layer of glue-type material after transforming of the fourth layer to the solid state. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34 further comprising the steps of: applying a support screen having internal spaces upon the second layer before transforming of the second strip to the solid state; and then applying the third layer in the fluid state over the support screen so as to impregnate the internal spaces of the screen. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34, further comprising the steps of: forming a feed port in an exterior surface of one of the first, second, third or fourth layers; and forming a flow feed passage in the first, second, third and fourth layers so as to intersect with the first and second passages and communicate the first and second passages with the feed port. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34 further comprising the steps of: applying a support screen having internal spaces upon the fourth layer before transforming of the fourth layer to the solid state.