Patent ID: 6656356
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: B01D,B01F,C02F

Abstract:
An element of filtering hollow fibre membranes comprising:(a) a fixed upper header; (b) a lower header; (c) a plurality of hollow fibre membranes attached to and suspended between the headers, the hollow fibre membranes having each at least one open end and having each an outer surface, the outer surface of the open ends of the membranes connected to at least one header with a water impermeable connection; and (d) one or more permeate channels in at least one of the headers in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow fibre membranes for collecting permeate, wherein, (e) the lower header is movable between a first position in which the fibres are substantially elongated and second position in which the headers are a selected distance closer together; and (f) the weight of the lower header is sufficient to keep the lower header in the first position in substantially quiescent water while allowing the lower header to rise to the second position in upwardly flowing water or water and bubbles.