Patent ID: 8911625

Claim:
A spiral wound module comprising at least one extruded membrane sheet wrapped about a permeate collection tube wherein the membrane sheet comprises: a porous structure formed by extruding a polymer mixture into a sheet including a plurality of capillary channels, a proximal edge extending along the permeate collection tube, a distal edge, a front and back edge which both extend from the proximal edge to the distal edge, and first and second opposing outer surfaces; wherein: the module further comprises a feed fluid pathway which extends along the first and second outer surfaces of the membrane sheet and wherein the porous structure of the membrane sheet provides selective fluid communication between the feed fluid pathway and the capillary channels, the capillary channels are positioned between the first and second outer surfaces, extend in parallel arrangement from the proximal edge to the distal edge and are in fluid communication with the permeate collection tube, and a seal located upon the first and second outer surfaces of the membrane sheet extending from the front edge to the back edge along a path adjacent to the proximal edge which isolates the capillary channels from the feed fluid pathway and a restraining member comprising a compressible foam positioned adjacent to the seal.