Patent ID: 7591950

Claim:
A membrane filtration system comprising: a vessel having an inlet fluidly connectable to a source of a liquid having solids suspended therein; at least one membrane module disposed in the vessel, the membrane module comprising a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending between an upper potting head and a lower potting head, and a solid, non-porous sleeve surrounding the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, the upper potting head, and the lower potting head, and extending an entire length of the membrane module; at least one scouring port fluidly connected to an aerator and to the source of the liquid; a flow channel defined by the solid, non-porous sleeve, and the upper potting head, the lower potting head, and the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, said flow channel constructed and arranged to allow for the liquid to flow tangentially along the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, the upper potting head, and the lower potting head; and a retentate exit port disposed adjacent to at least one of the lower potting head and the upper potting head, opposite the at least one scouring port.