A membrane distillation arrangement comprising: at least two dividers , each divider having a top and a base and at least one side which extends between the top and the base ; at least two transfer elements , at least one transfer element comprising a membrane and at least one transfer element comprising a heat transfer component, each transfer element having a top and a base , each transfer element being supported between two dividers ; and a plurality of perimeter seals , at least one perimeter seal extending around the perimeter of the top or the base of each transfer element , each perimeter seal forming a fluid tight seal and a luid flow space between the respective top or base of each transfer element and a respective adjacent face of a divider , each divider includes at least one side inlet and at least one side outlet , each side inlet and side outlet extending into the at least one side of each divider , and being in fluid communication with the respective fluid flow space formed between the adjacent transfer element and the respective adjacent face of a divider , characterized in that each of the side inlet and side outlet comprise passages formed in the divider , each passage including an entry section which extends into the side of each divider , and a flow split section in which the passage splits into two separate passages which extend to one of the fluid flow spaces formed on the top or the base of each divider , wherein each perimeter seal comprises a flexible gasket, and the thickness of perimeter seal is sized to create a fluid flow space between the respective adjacent faces of a divider and a transfer element , and wherein the heat transfer component comprises a thermally conducting plate. at least two dividers , each divider having a top and a base and at least one side which extends between the top and the base ; at least two transfer elements , at least one transfer element comprising a membrane and at least one transfer element comprising a heat transfer component, each transfer element having a top and a base , each transfer element being supported between two dividers ; and a plurality of perimeter seals , at least one perimeter seal extending around the perimeter of the top or the base of each transfer element , each perimeter seal forming a fluid tight seal and a luid flow space between the respective top or base of each transfer element and a respective adjacent face of a divider , each divider includes at least one side inlet and at least one side outlet , each side inlet and side outlet extending into the at least one side of each divider , and being in fluid communication with the respective fluid flow space formed between the adjacent transfer element and the respective adjacent face of a divider , characterized in that each of the side inlet and side outlet comprise passages formed in the divider , each passage including an entry section which extends into the side of each divider , and a flow split section in which the passage splits into two separate passages which extend to one of the fluid flow spaces formed on the top or the base of each divider , wherein each perimeter seal comprises a flexible gasket, and the thickness of perimeter seal is sized to create a fluid flow space between the respective adjacent faces of a divider and a transfer element , and wherein the heat transfer component comprises a thermally conducting plate. <EOS>