Patent ID: 6846414
Filing Date: 2005-01-25
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
1. Membrane filtration unit, comprising: a housing having a feedstock inlet, a permeate outlet and a retentate outlet; at least one bundle of tubular membranes which is accommodated in said housing; sealing bodies which securely hold end parts of said membranes sealed in a fixed position with respect to said housing and thus separate said housing into separate spaces, which spaces are in contact with inner or outer sides of said membranes and are in open communication with said feedstock inlet or said permeate and retentate outlets; and at least one flexible, permeable sleeve element which partly encloses said bundle of membranes and holds them together; in which said flexible, permeable sleeve element encloses a centre part, which is situated between said securely held end parts, of said bundle of membranes, wherein socket members are provided, which movably delimit transitional parts of said bundle of membranes, which transitional parts are situated at locations of transitions from said securely held end parts to said enclosed centre part, a first part of each socket member being fixedly connected with respect to said housing, and a second part of each socket member movably enclosing an end of said sleeve element such that said sleeve element can move with respect to said enclosing socket member and with respect to said sealing body.