Patent Description:
In recent years, a separation membrane such as a microfiltration membrane or an ultrafiltration membrane is utilized for a fluid separation process in various fields including food industry, medical treatment, biotechnology, water production, wastewater treatment, etc., because it contributes, for example, to energy saving, space saving, or product quality enhancement.

Examples of the shape of the separation membrane include a flat membrane and a hollow-fiber membrane. As for the hollow-fiber membrane, a hollow-fiber membrane module, in which a housing encloses a hollow-fiber membrane cartridge in which a multitude of hollow-fiber membrane bundles are bound together at both ends in a potting part and a cylindrical protective member contacts with the outer surface of the potting part, is known (Patent Literature <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>).

However, in the conventional hollow-fiber membrane module in which a protective member contacts with the outer surface of a potting part, it is regarded as a problem that the protective member cannot smoothly follow the curing shrinkage of the potting resin or the expansion or shrinkage of the potting part during a heat treatment, etc. of the hollow-fiber membrane module and consequently, the protective member is separated from the potting part.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a hollow-fiber membrane module capable of suppressing separation between a potting part and a protective member.

In order to attain the object above, the present invention provides a hollow-fiber membrane module including: a hollow-fiber membrane bundle including a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes bundled in a potting part; a housing enclosing the hollow-fiber membrane bundle; and a protective member contacting with an outer surface of the potting part and continuously covering the outer surface, in which the protective member has a notched part through which one end of the protective member communicates with another end in a longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle. And the present invention provides a production method thereof.

In the present invention, a hollow-fiber membrane module capable of preventing a potting part and a protective member from separating from each other due to curing shrinkage of the potting agent or heat treatment of the hollow-fiber membrane module can be provided.

The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below by referring to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited by these embodiments in any way.

The hollow-fiber membrane module of the present invention must include a hollow-fiber membrane bundle including a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes bundled in a potting part, a housing enclosing the hollow-fiber membrane bundle, and a protective member contacting with the outer surface of the potting part and continuously covering the outer surface.

In the hollow-fiber membrane bundle included in the hollow-fiber membrane module of the present invention, a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes are bundled by at least one potting part.

The "hollow-fiber membrane" constituting the hollow-fiber membrane bundle indicates a hollow fiber-shaped membrane composed of a polymer and having a separation function for liquid or gas.

Examples of the polymer as a material of the hollow-fiber membrane include an olefin-based polymer such as polyethylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ionomer, polypropylene or poly-<NUM>-methylpentene-<NUM>, a fluorine-containing polymer such as polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer or tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, a cellulose-based polymer such as cellulose acetate, a polyvinyl chloride, an acrylonitrile-based polymer, a silicone-based polymer, a polyamide, a polyimide, a polyethersulfone, a polysulfone, a polyphenylene oxide, a polyphenylene sulfide, a polyallylate, a polyether ether ketone, a polyether imide, a polycarbonate, a polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer, etc. In order to increase the heat resistance, physical strength and chemical durability of the obtained hollow-fiber membrane, a fluorine-containing polymer, a polyethersulfone, or a polysulfone is preferred.

From the viewpoint of satisfying both the permeation performance and the physical strength, the thickness of the hollow-fiber membrane is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

From the viewpoint of satisfying both the effective membrane area and the physical strength, the outer diameter of the hollow-fiber membrane is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>.

In view of the balance between the pressure loss of a fluid flowing through the hollow part and the buckling pressure, the percentage of hollowness of the hollow-fiber membrane is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>%, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>%, still more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>%. The outer diameter and percentage of hollowness of the hollow-fiber membrane can be adjusted by appropriately changing, for example, the shape of a discharge hole of a spinneret for producing the hollow fiber or the draft ratio represented by winding rate/discharge rate during production of the hollow fiber.

The pore diameter or pore shape of the hollow-fiber membrane can be appropriately selected according to the separation target. The hollow-fiber membrane may be subjected, if desired, to a surface treatment such as organic solvent treatment, plasma discharge treatment, corona discharge treatment or ozone treatment. Furthermore, since a hot-water treatment or steam sterilization treatment sometimes causes thermal shrinkage of the hollow-fiber membrane, a hollow-fiber membrane subjected in advance to a preheating treatment may be used.

The "potting part" for bundling a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes indicates a region in which spaces between hollow fibers bundled is filled with a potting agent containing a potting resin as a main component, which is a so-called adhesive.

The potting resin serving as a main component of the potting agent is preferably an epoxy resin, a polyurethane resin, or a silicone resin, which are excellent in terms of adhesion to the hollow-fiber membrane, heat resistance and chemical durability. In addition, the potting agent may contain, other than the potting resin, for example, an additive such as silica, talc, mica, clay, calcium carbonate, glass or rubber. Furthermore, the potting agent may also contain, as a curing agent, an aliphatic cyclic amine-based curing agent or an aliphatic linear amine-based curing agent.

The potting part is preferably formed in an end part of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle because of ease of forming and is more preferably formed in both end parts for more firmly binding a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes together. That is, it is more preferable for the hollow-fiber membrane bundle to be bundled at its both ends in potting parts.

Examples of the method for filling a space between hollow-fiber membranes with a potting agent include a centrifugal potting method of infiltrating a potting agent by utilizing a centrifugal force, and a static potting method of infiltrating a potting agent by its natural flow. In addition, a potting resin may also be poured into a mold for cast molding and made to fill a space between hollow-fiber membranes. On this occasion, in order to prevent the potting part from deforming in an ex-post manner, the potting part may be molded by performing the filling with a potting agent and the curing shrinkage in a plurality of batches.

Examples of the material of a housing included in the hollow-fiber membrane module of the present invention include a fluorine-based resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoroalkoxy fluororesin, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polymethylpentene, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ketone, polyvinyl chloride resin, ABS resin, stainless steel, and aluminum.

The protective member included in the hollow-fiber membrane module of the present invention contacts with the outer surface of the potting part and continuously covers the outer surface. In addition, the protective member must have a notched part through which one end of the protective member in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle communicates with another end.

The "protective member" as used herein indicates a member formed of a material different from the material of the potting part to be contacted and continuously covered with the protective member.

In addition, to say the protective member "contacts" with the outer surface of the potting part indicates that at least a part of the protective member is in contact with the outer surface of the potting part, directly or indirectly with the intervention of other component such as cured adhesive.

Furthermore, to say the protective member "continuously covers the outer surface" of the potting part indicates that when assuming lines L, whose start point and end point coincide with each other, drawn by setting one point within the potting part on the surface of the potting part as a basis point and connecting, in a continuous manner, the points in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle and when regarding the longest line among the lines L as Lmax, one or plurality of protective members are arranged to cover <NUM>% or more of the total length of the line Lmax. For example, in the case where the potting part is cylindrical having a perfect circular cross-section, the line Lmax corresponds to the circumference of the perfect circle. The degree of coverage for the line Lmax is preferably <NUM>% or more, more preferably <NUM>% or more, still more preferably <NUM>% or more. In addition, the degree of coverage for the line Lmax is preferably less than <NUM>%.

The "notched part" of the protective member indicates a region where the outer surface of the potting part is exposed between one end part of a protective member in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle and another end part. Note that the "another end part" may be another end part of the same protective member having the "one end part" or may be one end part of another protective member different from the protective member having the "one end part" above.

To say "one end of the protective member communicates with another end" in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle through the notched part of the protective member indicates a state where the notched part of the protective member, i.e., the region where the outer surface of the potting part is exposed, continues without a break between one end of the protective member in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle and another end. In the case where the protective member continuously covering the outer surface has two or more notched parts, the "protective member continuously covering the outer surface" is composed of a plurality of protective members.

The shape of the notched part, when observed from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle, may be linear or a shape including a curve or bent part.

When the protective member has such a notched part, the protective member can smoothly follow the shrinkage or expansion of the potting part during curing shrinkage of the potting agent or heat treatment of the hollow-fiber membrane module, and contacting between the potting part and the protective member can be maintained, so that separation therebetween can be suppressed. In order for the protective member to be capable of more smoothly following the expansion or shrinkage of the potting part, the protective member preferably has a plurality of notched parts. The width of the notched part in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle is preferably <NUM> or more, more preferably <NUM> or more, still more preferably <NUM> or more.

The ratio of the length of the protective member in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle to the length of the potting part in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle is preferably <NUM>% or more so as to ensure the durability of the protective member.

Examples of the material of the protective member include a fluorine-based resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoroalkoxy fluororesin, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polymethylpentene, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ketone, polyvinyl chloride resin, and ABS resin.

Examples of the adhesive used for making the protective member contact with the outer surface of the potting part include an adhesive containing, as a main component, an epoxy resin or a polyurethane resin. In addition, the adhesive may contain, other than the adhesive, for example, an additive such as silica, talc, mica, clay, calcium carbonate, glass or rubber.

Some embodiments of the hollow-fiber membrane module of the present invention are described in greater detail below by referring to the drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional diagram of the hollow-fiber membrane module <NUM> of a first embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a cross-sectional diagram along line A-A in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a side view of the protective member and the second potting part in <FIG>.

The hollow-fiber membrane module <NUM> includes a hollow-fiber membrane bundle <NUM> in which a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes <NUM> are bundled into a cylindrical shape in a first potting part <NUM> and a second potting part <NUM>, a housing enclosing the hollow-fiber membrane bundle <NUM>, and a protective member <NUM> contacting with the outer surface of the second potting part <NUM> and continuously covering the outer surface. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the protective member <NUM> has a notched part 9A.

In all hollow-fiber membranes <NUM>, the first end part that is an end part on the first potting part <NUM> side is in an open state. On the other hand, in all hollow-fiber membranes <NUM>, the second end part that is an end part on the second potting part <NUM> side is in a state of being sealed by the second potting part <NUM>.

The housing is composed of a hollow cylindrical case <NUM>, and a first cap <NUM> and a second cap <NUM> liquid-tightly and air-tightly fixed by a gasket <NUM> to both end parts of the cylindrical case <NUM>. The first cap <NUM> has a filtrate outlet <NUM>, and the second cap <NUM> has a raw water inlet <NUM>. In addition, the cylindrical case <NUM> has a raw water outlet <NUM> nearer the first cap <NUM> in its lateral part.

In both end parts of the cylindrical case <NUM>, flange parts 3A and 3B are formed over the entire circumference. Furthermore, in the cylindrical case <NUM>-side end part of the first cap <NUM>, a step part 4A is formed over the entire circumference so that when the cylindrical case <NUM> and the fist cap <NUM> are fixed, a groove can be formed between the flange part 3A and the first cap <NUM>.

The first potting part <NUM> is enclosed in a cylindrical flow-regulating cylinder <NUM>. In one end part of the flow-regulating cylinder <NUM>, a flange part 7Ais formed over the entire circumference. The flange part 7A is inserted into a groove (fixing part) between the flange part 3A and the fist cap <NUM>, and the first potting part <NUM> is thereby liquid-tightly and air-tightly fixed in one end part of the cylindrical case <NUM>.

In the flow-regulating cylinder <NUM>, a plurality of slit-like flow-regulating holes <NUM> extending in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle are formed so as to prevent drift around the raw water outlet <NUM>. In order to prevent steam drain stagnation during steam sterilization of the hollow-fiber membrane module <NUM>, a gap <NUM> is provided between the cylindrical case <NUM> and the flow-regulating cylinder <NUM>.

Between the flow-regulating cylinder <NUM> fixing the first potting part <NUM> and the housing, an O ring <NUM> is disposed as a sealing member to liquid-tightly and air-tightly partition both sides thereof.

A through-hole <NUM> penetrating in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle is formed in the second potting part <NUM>, and a gap <NUM> is provided between the second potting part <NUM> and the housing.

The protective member <NUM> contacts with the outer surface of the second potting part <NUM> and continuously covers the outer surface.

<FIG> is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional diagram of the hollow-fiber membrane module <NUM> of a second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, <FIG> is a cross-sectional diagram along line A-A in <FIG>. The hollow-fiber membrane module <NUM> includes a ring <NUM> having a notch as illustrated in <FIG>, etc., in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.

The ring <NUM> is inserted, as a holding member, between a second holding groove <NUM> formed in the outer surface of the protective member <NUM> and a first holding groove <NUM> formed in the inner surface of the housing to face the second holding groove, and the protective member <NUM> is thereby held in the housing while maintaining an appropriate gap. In this way, an embodiment where the protective member contacts with the outer surface of the second potting part, and the inner surface of the housing and the protective member are locked with each other by the holding member, is preferred.

The holding member is not limited to the above-exemplified ring, and the form thereof is not particularly limited as long as a gap allowing a fluid to move therethrough can be formed between the protective member and the housing.

One example of the filtration operation (water treatment) using the hollow-fiber membrane module of the present invention is described below.

Raw water as a material to be filtered flows into the hollow-fiber membrane module <NUM> or <NUM> through a raw water inlet <NUM> of the second cap <NUM>, and a part thereof permeates into the hollow part of the hollow-fiber membrane <NUM> and flows out to the outside of the hollow-fiber membrane module <NUM> or <NUM> through a filtrate outlet <NUM> of the first cap <NUM>. The remaining raw water not permeated into the inside of the hollow-fiber membrane <NUM> is discharged to the outside of the hollow-fiber membrane module <NUM> or <NUM> through a raw water outlet <NUM>.

A method of performing filtration in this way by flowing a material to be filtered in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane is referred to as cross-flow filtration and is effective in preventing suspended substances, etc. in the raw water from depositing on the surface of the hollow-fiber membrane. When the raw water outlet <NUM> is closed, dead-end filtration of filtering all the raw water can be performed, or when air is supplied from the raw water inlet <NUM>, cleaning of the hollow-fiber membrane <NUM> by air scrubbing can also be performed. In the cross-flow filtration or air scrubbing, the second potting part <NUM> may move due to a material to be filtered, which is flowed in through the raw water inlet <NUM>, and the hollow-fiber membrane <NUM> consequently may deform to cause damage to the hollow-fiber membrane <NUM>. Therefore, as in the hollow-fiber membrane module of the second embodiment, the protective member is preferably held in a housing so as to suppress the movement of the second potting part <NUM>.

Namely, in the hollow-fiber membrane module of the present invention, a holding member is preferably inserted between a holding groove formed in the outer surface of the protective member and a holding groove formed in the inner surface of the housing to face the holding groove above.

The production method of the hollow-fiber membrane module of the present invention includes (<NUM>) a potting part-forming step of forming a potting part and thereby bundling a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes to obtain a hollow-fiber membrane bundle, and (<NUM>) a protective member-bonding step of bonding a protective member such that the protective member contacts with the outer surface of the potting part and continuously covers the outer surface.

The potting part-forming step included in the production method of the hollow-fiber membrane module of the present invention is a step of forming a potting part so as to bundle a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes and thereby to obtain a hollow-fiber membrane bundle.

The potting part is formed by filling spaces between hollow fibers with a potting agent containing a potting resin as a main component, which is a so-called adhesive.

The potting agent is preferably subjected in advance to a defoaming treatment such as centrifugal defoaming or vacuum defoaming so as to reduce air bubbles, etc. in the inside thereof.

The shape of the obtained hollow-fiber membrane bundle is preferably a cylindrical shape that facilitates bundling.

The protective member-bonding step included in the production method of the hollow-fiber membrane module of the present invention is a step of bonding a protective member such that the protective member contacts with the outer surface of the potting part and continuously covers the outer surface.

The potting agent containing, as a main component, a potting resin such as epoxy resin, polyurethane resin or silicone resin undergoes curing shrinkage when changing from a liquid state to a solid state. When a liquid-state potting agent with which the protective member contacts undergoes curing shrinkage, while a stress of pulling the protective member toward the potting agent side generates, the protective member cannot follow it, and the protective member is sometimes separated from the potting agent.

On the other hand, when the potting agent is sufficiently cured and shrunk in the potting part-forming step (<NUM>) and thereafter, the protective member is bonded in the protective member-bonding step (<NUM>), separation of the protective member due to curing shrinkage of the liquid-state potting agent can be suppressed. In order to promote curing shrinkage of the liquid-state potting agent and increase the strength of the potting part after curing shrinkage, it is preferable to perform a heat treatment subsequently to the potting part-forming step (<NUM>).

The viscosity of the adhesive used for the bonding of the protective member is preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> mPa·s so as to obtain appropriate coating property while preventing dripping, etc..

Furthermore, in order to more enhance the adhesion of the protective member to the outer surface of the potting part, it is also preferable to previously polish the outer surface of the potting part with sandpaper, etc. and thereby provide fine irregularities.

Raw water was flowed in through the raw water inlet of the hollow-fiber membrane module and flowed out or discharged (membrane surface linear velocity: <NUM>/s) through the filtrate outlet at a flow rate of <NUM>/hour and through the raw water outlet at a flow rate of <NUM><NUM>/hour, and this operation was continued for <NUM> hours. Thereafter, the hollow-fiber membrane module was disassembled, and the presence or absence of bending (buckling) of the hollow-fiber membrane and damage to the second potting part was visually confirmed.

The hollow-fiber membrane module was heated with water vapor at <NUM> for <NUM> hour and then disassembled such that the bonding interface can be observed, and the bonding area of the adhesive layer between the potting part and the protective member was visually observed to evaluate the presence or absence of separation.

A hollow-fiber membrane module illustrated in <FIG> was prepared by cylindrically bundling <NUM>,<NUM> polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fiber membranes (thickness: <NUM>, outer diameter: <NUM>,<NUM>, percentage of hollowness: <NUM>%) subjected to preliminary heating with water vapor at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. The first potting part and the second potting part were molded by a static potting method using, as a potting agent, a mixture of a bisphenol A-type epoxy resin (JER828, produced by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), an aliphatic cyclic amine-based curing agent (<NUM>,<NUM>-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine), produced by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. ), and an aliphatic linear amine-based curing agent (diethylenetriamine, produced by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. ), which were previously preheated in a thermostat at <NUM> and mixed to obtain a mass ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>: <NUM>. Part of the surface of the second potting part was polished with abrasive paper #<NUM> and then, two semicircular protective members (made of polysulfone) illustrated in <FIG> in which the thickness of the member in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle is <NUM> were made to contact therewith using the potting agent above as an adhesive. The protective member consisting of two protective members had two notched parts, and the degree of coverage thereof for Lmax was <NUM>%. The width of the notched part in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle was <NUM>.

The inner diameter of the cylindrical case (made of SUS316L) was <NUM>, and the gap between the second potting part and the housing was <NUM> or more.

This hollow-fiber membrane module was evaluated for the adhesion between the potting part and the protective member, as a result, separation was not observed after heating with water vapor at <NUM>.

A hollow-fiber membrane module was prepared in the same manner as in Example <NUM> except that the protective member was changed to those (made of polysulfone) illustrated in <FIG> in which the thickness of the member in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle is <NUM>. The protective member consisting of two protective members had two notched parts, and the degree of coverage thereof for Lmax was <NUM>%. The width of the notched part in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle was <NUM>.

A hollow-fiber membrane module illustrated in <FIG> was prepared by cylindrically bundling <NUM>,<NUM> polyvinylidene fluoride hollow fiber membranes (thickness: <NUM>, outer diameter: <NUM>,<NUM>, percentage of hollowness: <NUM>%) subjected to preliminary heating with water vapor at <NUM> for <NUM> hour. The first potting part and the second potting part were molded by a static potting method using, as a potting agent, a mixture of a bisphenol A-type epoxy resin (JER828, produced by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), an aliphatic cyclic amine-based curing agent (<NUM>,<NUM>-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine), produced by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. ), and an aliphatic linear amine-based curing agent (diethylenetriamine, produced by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. ), which were previously preheated in a thermostat at <NUM> and mixed to obtain a mass ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>. Part of the surface of the second potting part was polished with abrasive paper #<NUM> and then, two semicircular protective members (made of polysulfone) illustrated in <FIG> in which the thickness of the member in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle is <NUM> were made to contact therewith using the potting agent above as an adhesive. The protective member consisting of two protective members had two notched parts, and the degree of coverage thereof for Lmax was <NUM>%. The width of the notched part in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle was <NUM>. A groove as illustrated in <FIG> was formed in the outer surface of the second potting part, and the convex part of the protective member was made to contact with the groove in the outer surface of the second potting part.

A ring having a notch was inserted between the holding groove formed in the outer surface of the protective member and the holding groove formed in the inner surface of the housing to face the holding groove in the outer surface of the protective member.

With respect to this hollow-fiber membrane module, a cross-flow filtration test was conducted, as a result, neither damage to the second potting part and the protective member nor buckling of the hollow-fiber membrane was observed.

In addition, this hollow-fiber membrane module was evaluated for the adhesion between the potting part and the protective member, as a result, separation was not observed after heating with water vapor at <NUM>.

A hollow-fiber membrane module was prepared in the same manner as in Example <NUM> except that the protective member consisting of two protective members had two notched parts and the degree of coverage for Lmax of <NUM>%, and the width of the notched part in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle was <NUM>.

A hollow-fiber membrane module was prepared in the same manner as in Example <NUM> except that the static potting was performed after previously attaching a protective member in which the thickness of the member in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a cylindrical hollow-fiber membrane bundle is <NUM> to a potting jig, and the degree of coverage for Lmax was <NUM>% (having no notched part).

With respect to this hollow-fiber membrane module, a cross-flow filtration test was conducted, as a result, damage to the protective member was observed. In addition, damage due to buckling of the hollow-fiber membrane was recognized.

In addition, this hollow-fiber membrane module was evaluated for the adhesion between the potting part and the protective member, as a result, separation was observed after heating with water vapor at <NUM>.

While the present invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the aim and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claim 1:
A hollow-fiber membrane module (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a hollow-fiber membrane bundle (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes (<NUM>) bundled in a potting part (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a housing enclosing the hollow-fiber membrane bundle (<NUM>); and
a protective member (<NUM>) adhered indirectly to an outer surface of the potting part (<NUM>, <NUM>) with an intervention of a cured adhesive and continuously covering the outer surface except a notched part (9A) in the protective member (<NUM>), through which one end of the protective member (<NUM>) communicates with another end in a longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle (<NUM>), and at which the outer surface of the potting part (<NUM>) is exposed, wherein "notched part" (9A) of the protective member (<NUM>) indicates a region where the outer surface of the potting part (<NUM>, <NUM>) is exposed between one end part of a protective member (<NUM>) in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle (<NUM>) and another end part, and wherein "one end of the protective member (<NUM>) communicates with another end" in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle (<NUM>) through the notched part (9A) of the protective member (<NUM>) indicates a state where the notched part (9A) of the protective member (<NUM>), i.e., the region where the outer surface of the potting part (<NUM>, <NUM>) is exposed, continues without a break between one end of the protective member (<NUM>) in the longitudinal direction of the hollow-fiber membrane bundle (<NUM>) and another end, and
having a gap (<NUM>) between the protective member (<NUM>) and the housing.