Patent ID: 6280626
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B01D,B01F

Abstract:
A membrane separator assembly for separating solids from water comprising:a membrane module unit comprising a plurality of membrane modules, at least some of said membrane modules each respectively comprising:at least two membrane fixing members, at least one of said membrane fixing members having a main passageway formed therethrough; andone or more vertically oriented separating membranes extending between said membrane fixing members, said separating membranes collectively or individually defining one or more membrane passageways in fluid communication with said main passageway, said membrane passageways being accessible to water via permeation through said separating membranes and being inaccessible to solids which are impermeable relative to said separating membranes;a gas diffuser disposed below said membrane modules, said gas diffuser comprising two opposing identical main pipes and branch pipes, said branch pipes extending between said main pipes and containing gas discharge ports, wherein a cross sectional area A2 of said branch pipes is less than a cross sectional area A1 of said main pipes; andan enclosure subassembly constructed and arranged to permit the passage of liquid therethrough along a vertical direction, said enclosure subassembly comprising at least two opposing enclosure walls arranged parallel to said membrane modules and positioned with said membrane module unit therebetween, said two opposing enclosure walls respectively being spaced from separating membranes of outermost ones of said membrane modules.