Patent ID: 6499606
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A membrane for cross-flow filtering of a fluid to be treated, said membrane comprising an inorganic rigid porous support having a first end and an opposite second end, and defining at least one flow channel open therethrough, said at least one flow channel being open at said first end and defining and inlet for the fluid to be treated, and open at the opposite end and defining an outlet for the fluid to be treated, the fluid being treated thereby flowing therethrough in a given direction from the open inlet end to the open outlet end, the channel having a surface covered with at least one separator layer separating out from the fluid to be treated a permeate fraction which passes through the layer and the support, wherein the separator layer presents a thickness gradient that decreases from the open inlet end to the opposite open outlet end, in the flow direction of the fluid to be treated.