Patent ID: 7279215

Claim:
A membrane module for transferring a constituent to or from a fluid, said module comprising: a) at least two flat sheet membrane elements, each element having an interior portion and an outer surface, wherein the interior portion comprises a plurality of flow channels; and b) at least one primary manifold that is permanently attached to the membrane elements, wherein said primary manifold is in fluid connection with the flow channels of the membrane elements, and c) a space between the membrane elements; wherein said primary manifold comprises a first fluid flow channel that carries a first fluid to or from the interior portion of the membrane elements in direct fluid communication independent of flow from the interior portions to the outer surfaces of the membrane elements, and a second fluid flow channel that carries a second fluid to the space between the membrane elements, and wherein said second fluid flow channel is in direct fluid communication with the space between the membrane elements independent of flow between the interior portions to the outer surfaces of the membrane elements.