Potting method

A method of forming a pot for an array of hollow fibre membranes, each fibre membrane comprising an end, the method comprising:

• placing the ends of the fibre membranes in a mold;
• providing a potting sleeve within the mould to receive a first layer and a second layer, wherein the potting sleeve comprises adhesion means, wherein the adhesion means assist in adhesion of at least one of the curable resin material and the polyurethane resin material to the potting sleeve;
• forming a first layer of a curable resin material in a non-cured state around the ends;
• applying a second layer of a polyurethane resin material to the first layer prior to full curing of the first layer, wherein the polyurethane resin material is chemically reactive with the curable resin material to form an adhesive bond between the first layer and the second layer, and wherein a fully cured polyurethane resin material is of a higher flexibility than a fully cured curable resin material;
• at least partially curing the first layer and the second layer, such that a pot is formed;
• and
• removing the pot from the mould.

A method of forming a pot for an array of hollow fibre membranes, each fibre membrane comprising an end, the method comprising:

• placing the ends of the fibre membranes in a mould;
• forming a first layer of a curable resin material in a non-cured state around the ends, wherein the curable resin material comprises epoxy groups;
• applying a second layer of a polyurethane resin material comprising amine groups or amide groups to the first layer prior to full curing of the first layer, wherein the amine groups or amide groups of the polyurethane resin material chemically react with the epoxy groups of the curable resin material to form an adhesive bond between the first layer and the second layer, and wherein a fully cured polyurethane resin material is of a higher flexibility than a fully cured curable resin material;
• at least partially curing the first layer and the second layer, such that a pot is formed;
• and
• removing the pot from the mould.