Patent ID: 6165361
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
An apparatus for the filtering and separation of flow media rich in foreign matter utilizing an ultrafiltration process, said apparatus including:a housing with a membrane separating arrangement to which a flow medium is admitted, and by which a retentate enriched with foreign matter and a permeate depleted of foreign matter are generated;said housing further including means for discharging at least said permeate from said apparatus;said membrane separating arrangement comprising two support elements disposed in said housing in spaced relationship in an intended flow direction of said flow medium, and a plurality of membrane modules having receiver elements disposed at opposite ends mounted between said two support elements;each of said membrane modules including hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane elements being arranged as to define a cylindrical flow channel, wherein said cylindrical flow channel is free of any obstructions, for conducting said flow medium axially through each of said membrane modules along said membrane elements;said receiver elements including openings axially aligned with said cylindrical flow channels to permit straight-through flow of said flow medium through said membrane modules;said receiver elements firmly engaging the opposite ends of said membrane elements;one of said support elements including a permeate collection channel to which the membrane elements connected to said receiver elements extend with their permeate side in communication with said collection channel for conducting said permeate out of said apparatus;said two support elements being held in spaced relationship by a spacer structure;whereby said membrane separating arrangement is slidably received in said housing so as to be slidably removable from said housing.