Patent ID: 8206583

Claim:
A fluid treatment element for substantially inhibiting an electrical charge imbalance and/or a build-up of electrical charge, the fluid treatment element comprising a multilayer composite including: an electrically conductive fibrous matrix having a first side and a second side, the electrically conductive fibrous matrix including a combination of electrically conductive fibers and electrically nonconductive fibers, wherein the electrically conductive fibers of the electrically conductive fibrous matrix substantially inhibit an electrical charge imbalance and/or a build-up of electrical charge and include electrically conductive carbon fibers, the electrically conductive fibers comprising less than about 50% by weight of the electrically conductive fibrous matrix and having diameters of about 10 μm or less; a porous substrate for supporting the electrically conductive fibrous matrix and having a first side and a second side, wherein the second side of the electrically conductive fibrous matrix is disposed on the first side of the porous substrate; and a first drainage layer positioned on the first side of the electrically conductive fibrous matrix or the second side of the porous substrate.