Patent ID: 8372282

Claim:
A membrane filtration apparatus comprising: a plurality of membrane filtration modules, each membrane filtration module comprising: a plurality of porous membranes extending in an array, said plurality of porous membranes encased in a support structure and having lower ends mounted in a lower pot supported by a lower header and upper ends mounted in an upper pot supported by an upper header, said upper header configured to provide for permeate to be withdrawn from said upper ends of said plurality of porous membranes; and a plurality of distribution apertures defined in said lower pot, said distribution apertures configured to distribute a scrubbing fluid into said module and along a surface or surfaces of said membranes; a single manifold coupled to said lower header of each of said plurality of membrane filtration modules; and a single chamber positioned below, and connected to, said manifold, said chamber constructed and arranged to promote upward flow of feed liquid therethrough, said chamber comprising: an open base end in fluid communication with a source of feed liquid; a second end in fluid communication with said distribution apertures; and a single gas inlet constructed and arranged to introduce gas into said chamber in a downward direction from above the open base end, said gas fed from above and through said manifold and into said chamber, said gas inlet centered between at least two of said plurality of membrane filtration modules and configured to release gas into said chamber at a position vertically displaced below said at least two of said plurality of membrane filtration modules, said chamber configured to mix gas and liquid to produce said scrubbing fluid and further configured to distribute said scrubbing fluid to said distribution apertures.