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US 7,279,215 B2Granted
Membrane modules and integrated membrane cassettes
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJonathan F. Hester, David J. Colburn, Michael K. Domroese, Harold T. Freemyer, Robert S. Kody, David F. Slama, Peter B. Zenk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention features integrated membrane assemblies for selectively transferring a constituent to or from a fluid. The assemblies include two or more flat sheet membrane elements and at least one common manifold connected to the interior regions of the membrane elements.
Claims16
A membrane module for transferring a constituent to or from a fluid, said module comprising:
- a) at least two flat sheet membrane elements, each element having an interior portion and an outer surface, wherein the interior portion comprises a plurality of flow channels;
- and
- b) at least one primary manifold that is permanently attached to the membrane elements, wherein said primary manifold is in fluid connection with the flow channels of the membrane elements, and
- c) a space between the membrane elements;
- wherein said primary manifold comprises a first fluid flow channel that carries a first fluid to or from the interior portion of the membrane elements in direct fluid communication independent of flow from the interior portions to the outer surfaces of the membrane elements, and
- a second fluid flow channel that carries a second fluid to the space between the membrane elements, and wherein said second fluid flow channel is in direct fluid communication with the space between the membrane elements independent of flow between the interior portions to the outer surfaces of the membrane elements.
3 more elements
A membrane module for transferring a constituent to or from a fluid, said module comprising:
- a) at least two flat sheet membrane elements, each element having an interior portion and an exterior portion;
- b) at least one primary manifold that is permanently attached to the membrane elements, wherein said primary manifold is in fluid connection with the interior portion of the membrane elements;
- and
- c) a space between The membrane elements;
- wherein the primary manifold comprises perforations for receiving gas bubbles dispensed from below the membrane module and delivering said bubbles to the space between the membrane elements.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.