Patent ID: 6623631
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A filter assembly (1) for the vacuum filtration of aqueous media comprising a cartridge filter element (2) arranged in a cylindrical housing (3) to form an inlet chamber (4) radially surrounding said filter element (2), said inlet chamber (4) being in fluid communication with an upper chamber (4â€²) located axially above said filter element (2), said housing (3) being equipped with an inlet (5) and an outlet (6), and said filter element (2) comprising at least one tubular, pleated, hydrophilic, microporous membrane (8) which is sealed fluid-tight in said inlet chamber (4) by a lower end cap (9) and an upper end cap (10), said end caps having central openings (12, 13), wherein said central opening (12) of lower end cap (9) is in fluid communication with said outlet (6) and said central opening (13) of upper end cap (10) is closed by a first hydrophobic gas-permeable membrane (16) that is oriented at an angle of approximately 20Â° relative to said upper end cap (10).