A support device is provided to facilitate assembly and/or disassembly of a filtration unit of a membrane filtration apparatus, which may be configured for production of a food product, by supporting a membrane element during the assembly and/or disassembly. The support device includes an engagement portion which is configured to detachably engage an end portion of an elongate housing of the filtration unit. The support device further includes a platform portion that projects from the engagement portion and is configured to support the membrane element during loading and/or unloading of the membrane element through an opening in the end portion.

A connecting mechanism (1) for a cartridge-type replaceable module (2) that has at least one fluid port (2a,2b) at each of opposite sides of the module (2) in a longitudinal direction of the module (2). The connecting mechanism (1) comprises two connector elements (3) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the module (2) and each provided with at least one fluid connector (3b) configured to releasably inter-engage with a complementary fluid port (2a,2b) of the module (2) at the respective side thereof, wherein at least one of the connector elements (3) is movable to perform a translational movement in the longitudinal direction of the module (2). The connecting mechanism (1) further comprises at least one driver element (4) arranged to engage with the module (2) and with the at least one movable connector element (3) such that a rotational or translational movement of the module (2) engaged with the driver element (4) causes the translational movement of the movable connector element (3) via the driver element (4) to establish/release the inter-engagement of the fluid connector(s) (3b) of that connector element (3) with the associated fluid port(s) (2a,2b) of the module (2).

A disposable filtration device includes a plurality of disposable filter capsules connected with each other by lines, which are carried by a rigid holder. At least the holder and the lines between the filter capsules preferably are formed of a sterilizable material, so that the filtration device can be sterilized in the pre-mounted, i.e. ready-to-connect condition, and can be packed and transported without a risk of damage.

A filtration apparatus includes a tubular casing having a longitudinal axis and first and second casing ends, a plurality of partition plates positioned in the casing and sealed thereto to thereby define a plurality of axially successive chambers within the casing, including an intake collection chamber between a first of the partition plates and the first casing end, a discharge collection chamber between a second of the partition plates and the second casing end, and a reject collection chamber opposite the second partition plate from the second casing end. A plurality of elongated filtration membrane stacks are positioned side-by-side in the casing generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. Each filtration membrane stack includes an intake end which is fluidly connected to the intake collection chamber, a discharge end which is fluidly connected to the reject collection chamber, and a permeate channel which extends between the intake and discharge ends and is fluidly connected to the discharge collection chamber, an end of the permeate channel located adjacent the intake end being sealed from the intake collection chamber. The filtration apparatus also includes an intake pipe having a first end fluidly connected to the intake collection chamber and a second end fluidly connected to a first connector located proximate the second casing end; a discharge pipe having a first end fluidly connected to the discharge collection chamber and a second end fluidly connected to a second connector located proximate the first connector; and a reject pipe having a first end fluidly connected to the reject collection chamber and a second end fluidly connected to a third connector located proximate the first and second connectors. Each filtration membrane stack includes a plurality of filtration membranes, and the plurality of filtration membrane stacks together define a plurality of axially successive sets of radially adjacent filtration membranes. Also, each filtration membrane of each of the sets of filtration membranes is sealed to a corresponding hole in a respective one of the partition plates.

A filtration apparatus includes a tubular casing having a longitudinal axis and first and second casing ends, a plurality of partition plates positioned in the casing and sealed thereto to thereby define an intake collection chamber between a first of said partition plates and the first casing end, a discharge collection chamber between a second of said partition plates and the second casing end, and a reject collection chamber opposite the second partition plate from the second casing end, a plurality of elongated filtration membrane stacks positioned side-by-side in the casing generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, each filtration membrane stack comprising an intake end fluidly connected to the intake collection chamber, a discharge end fluidly connected to the reject collection chamber, and a permeate channel extending between the first and second ends and fluidly connected to the discharge collection chamber. The filtration apparatus also includes an intake pipe connected to the intake collection chamber, a discharge pipe connected to the discharge collection chamber, and a reject pipe connected to the reject collection chamber. Each filtration membrane stack is made of a plurality of filtration membranes which are each sealed to a corresponding hole in a corresponding partition plate, each filtration membrane having an inlet end and an outlet end and being sealed to the corresponding hole between the inlet and outlet ends, and the outlet end being spaced apart from an adjacent partition plate located closer to the second casing end.

A submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus uses low temperature concentrate or brine from the desalination apparatus to provide a high volume cold liquid stream to an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) heat engine. The OTEC engine also employs a warm liquid stream and uses the cold and warm liquid streams to obtain electrical power from a closed-cycle or open-cycle heat exchange and generator system. Use of the concentrate or brine stream provides a much greater liquid volume and much greater cold thermal energy content than would be obtained by using cold desalinated product water from the desalination apparatus in the OTEC heat engine.

A distributor assembly, which is provided in particular for a separation unit of a modular process device arrangement, including a fluid distributor device having a plurality of fluid ports, wherein the fluid distributor device can selectively establish and block fluid communications between the fluid ports. The distributor assembly further includes a connecting element and a retaining element. The connecting element is adapted to be attached to one of the fluid ports, and the distributor assembly includes an associated mounting slot at the fluid port. The mounting slot is adapted to the shape of the retaining element such that the retaining element can be inserted into the mounting slot up to a defined retaining position, in which the retaining element engages the connecting element and fixes it in place.

A modular filtration platform having at least one manifold head and at least one respective filter cartridge assembly. Each manifold head is connected to one another to establish a water flow in a series or parallel manner. Each filter cartridge assembly is releasably secured from rotation relative to the manifold head by a locking mechanism. An aperture on the filter cartridge assembly annular collar mates with a protruding resilient extension on either the manifold head or support bracket. Alternatively, an aperture on the filter cartridge assembly annular collar and an aperture on the manifold head annular collar mate with a protruding member from a locking ring extending through both apertures. An integrated sensor package may be integrated with the system for true managed water visible/audible indications and Wi-Fi interface to facilitate virtually instantaneous response times for filtration needs.

A submersible water desalination apparatus includes an array of generally parallel water separation membrane cartridges each having a water separation membrane, an impermeable cartridge wall surrounding the membrane, and a product water collection tube that collects from inside the cartridges at least partially desalinated product water passing through the membrane, and through which the at least partially desalinated water exits the cartridges and enters a product water collection manifold. The cartridges are mounted in a perforated divider plate. In embodiments, a) the manifold is adhesively bonded to a plurality of the collection tubes, orb) the divider plate is adhesively bonded to a plurality of the cartridge walls or ends, or both a) and b). The adhesive reduces the likelihood of leakage at the manifold or divider plate.

A submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus uses low temperature concentrate or brine from the desalination apparatus to provide a high volume cold liquid stream to an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) heat engine. The OTEC engine also employs a warm liquid stream and uses the cold and warm liquid streams to obtain electrical power from a closed-cycle or open-cycle heat exchange and generator system. Use of the concentrate or brine stream provides a much greater liquid volume and much greater cold thermal energy content than would be obtained by using cold desalinated product water from the desalination apparatus in the OTEC heat engine.