Patent ID: 7273549

Claim:
An apparatus for modifying the concentration of a predetermined substance present in a first fluid flowing through a conduit having an inner surface and a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising: a first plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules, each module including: a plurality of elongated hollow fiber membranes located generally in adjacent, parallel relationship to each other, wherein each of the hollow fiber membranes includes a generally cylindrical wall defining an interior surface and an exterior surface, and further defining a first end and a second end, wherein each of the cylindrical walls is configured to transmit the predetermined substance therethrough, between its interior surface and its exterior surface, and a module housing that supports the plurality of elongated hollow fiber membranes with their first ends arranged in adjacent relationship and with their second ends arranged in adjacent relationship, wherein a transverse flow path is defined past the exterior surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes, wherein the first plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules are located within the conduit and mated with each other, in alignment along the longitudinal axis thereof; a second plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules located within the conduit and mated with each other, in alignment along the longitudinal axis thereof and downstream of the first plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules, wherein each module of the second plurality of modules is substantially the same as the modules of the first plurality of modules; a baffle assembly located within the conduit and configured to direct the flow of the first fluid initially to the first plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules, where the fluid flows along parallel flow paths simultaneously through such modules, and thereafter along a common path to the second plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules, where the fluid flows along parallel flow paths simultaneously through such modules, wherein in each case the fluid flows through the module along the transverse flow path past the exterior surfaces of the plurality of elongated hollow fiber membranes; and a fluid source that delivers a second fluid to the plurality of elongated hollow fiber membranes of each module of the first and second plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules and that directs the second fluid to flow through each hollow fiber membrane, from its first end to its second end; wherein the predetermined substance is transmitted through the cylindrical walls of the plurality of elongated hollow fiber membranes of each hollow fiber membrane module, to modify the concentration of the predetermined substance in the first fluid.