Membrane filter system

A guide member for directing gas bubble flow along a membrane surface, the guide member being arranged to be placed adjacent the membrane surface, the guide member comprising:

• first and second side edges and at least one bar parallel to each of the first and second side edges,
• each of the first side edge, the second side edge and the at least one bar extending vertically in a row adjacent the membrane surface, in use, to define a plurality of vertical channels, the at least one bar extending perpendicularly from the membrane surface, and each one of the plurality of vertical channels having an open channel bottom end through which a plurality of gas bubbles enter the one of the plurality of vertical channels and an open channel top end through which the plurality of gas bubbles exit the one of the plurality of vertical channels so that gas bubbles flowing upwardly along the one of the plurality of vertical channels are in contact with the membrane surface and guided along the membrane surface;
• and
• a diverting means adjacent the open channel bottom end configured to direct a first portion of the plurality of gas bubbles in a first direction towards the open channel bottom end.