Robert M Blanck

US Patent:

51924374, Mar 9, 1993

Filed:

Aug 20, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/570138

Inventors:

Jikuo Chang - Tyngsboro MA
Robert G. Blanck - Stoneham MA

Assignee:

Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

B01D 6118

US Classification:

21032183

Abstract:

A cleanable ultrafiltration device and method of making same is the subject of the present invention. The device comprises a housing for receiving a feed stream of a liquid to be filtered and a membrane cartridge disposed in the housing for separating the feed stream into concentrate and permeate. The cartridge is disposed within that housing in spaced relationship to accommodate the flow of the feed stream around the periphery of the cartridge along its length. A plastic netting is typically used for the cartridge/housing spacer. A potted end seal blocks the flow of the by-pass feed stream at the outlet end of the cartridge/housing assembly and forces all of the feed stream through the cartridge. This approach improves operating efficiency by elimination of the wasted by-pass flow associated with the prior art design, while maintaining module cleanability.