Patent ID: 6461513
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A cross-flow filtration assembly comprising:a filter housing including an elongate housing wall having opposed first and second open ends and an elongate cylindrical interior surface defining a housing cavity, a housing cap wall extending across said first open end of said housing wall, and a housing base wall extending across the second open end of said housing wall; said filter housing further defining an input feed port, a permeate output port, and a retentate output port in fluid communication with said housing cavity, wherein said input feed port extends substantially tangential to said interior surface of said housing cavity; an elongate porous filter mounted within said housing cavity between said input feed port and said permeate output port, said filter defining an open first end an opposed closed second end and an elongate cylindrical permeate passageway extending therebetween, said permeate passageway in fluid communication with said permeate output port through said first open end of said filter, said filter including a substantially cylindrical outer filter surface, wherein said outer filter surface and said interior surface of said housing wall define an elongate annular gap therebetween; and a spiral guide extending through said annular gap and spanning between said outer filter surface and said interior surface of said housing wall so as to define a fluid flow passage extending between said input feed port and said retentate output port; wherein said spiral guide imparts a secondary flow across said outer filter surface and perpendicular to a fluid flowing through said spiral passageway.