Patent ID: 7338601

Claim:
An assembly for use in separation of a fluid feed via membrane separation elements, the assembly comprising: an elongated housing having opposed first and second ends, the housing also having at least one inlet for a fluid feed stream, at least one outlet for a residual stream and at least one outlet for a permeate stream, the housing containing membrane separation elements to form a membrane separation element linear string having opposed first and second ends, the membrane separation element linear string at least in part defining a linear permeate passage tube having opposed first and second ends; and a first permeate adapter joined with the first end of the linear permeate passage tube, the first permeate adapter having a first face portion, an oppositely disposed first back portion and a first body portion extending between the first face portion and the first back portion, the first face portion including a first receiving opening for receiving the first end of the linear permeate passage tube, the first body portion defining a first permeate passageway extending therethrough, the first body portion including a first plurality of permeate discharge openings disposed therein and in fluid communication with a first permeate stream outlet, the first permeate passageway placing the first receiving opening and the first plurality of permeate discharge openings in fluid flow communication; wherein a first fluid feed stream inlet is disposed adjacent the first end of the membrane separation element linear string; and a second fluid feed stream inlet is disposed adjacent the second end of the membrane separation element linear string and a first residual stream outlet is centrally disposed between two of the membrane separation elements forming the membrane separation element linear string, wherein said membrane separation elements are capable of replacement without removal of said first permeate adapter.