Patent ID: 7635428

Claim:
A hollow fiber membrane submodule installable into a pressure vessel comprising: a hollow fiber membrane element having a feed fluid inlet, a feed fluid distribution pipe in communication with the feed fluid inlet, and an assembly of hollow fiber membranes having selective permeability and disposed around the feed fluid distribution pipe, wherein both ends of the hollow fiber membrane assembly are separately fixed with resin, and at least one end of the hollow fiber membrane assembly is subsequently cut to open the hollow fiber membranes; permeated fluid collectors for collecting permeated fluid flowing from the opening or openings of the hollow fiber membranes; and removable snaps arranged non-continuously around the outer peripheral surface of the permeated fluid collector and an end of the hollow fiber membrane element, securing the permeated fluid collector to the end of the hollow fiber membrane element in which a projection on one end of a snap is engaged in a depression provided in the end of the hollow fiber membrane element, and a projection on the other end of the snap is engaged in a depression provided in the permeated fluid collector, wherein the regions of the snaps serve to secure the hollow fiber membrane element at a central position within a pressure vessel, whereas the regions without a snap serve to ensure a flow path through which a concentrated fluid can pass.