A spiral wound membrane module including a specialized end cap assembly including a connecting conduit defining a passageway extending radially inward from its outer periphery, and a differential pressure sensor connected to the passageway of the connecting conduit.

The extent of fouling of a spiral wound membrane module such as used in water treatment plants can be monitored using one or more sensors disposed between wraps of the membrane. The sensors, including electrodes, can communicate signals to a two-part computing device. A first part is located inside the pressure vessel in which the membrane module is disposed. The first part provides input signals and power to the sensors and receives sensor signals. A second part is located on the outside of the pressure vessel and communicates power to the first part via inductive coupling. The second part wirelessly receives the sensor signals from the first part and processes the signals to determine the extent of fouling of the membrane module.

A filter element assembly comprises a filtration media and an end fitting through which a sealing connection is made between the assembly and a housing so that the end fitting defines a flow path between the housing and the filtration media. The end fitting has first and second parts which can be separated axially, and the filter media extends axially away from the second part in a direction away from the first part. Each of the parts has an outer wall with an external threaded cylindrical surface, and each of the first and second parts has an axially facing edge surface which faces the other of the first and second parts, the facing edge surfaces shaped to define a pre-determined relative rotational alignment of the first and second parts, where the parts fit together so that the threads on the external surfaces of the parts form a continuous thread.

A sea water desalination system and reverse osmosis element for use in a desalination system are provided. The reverse osmosis element includes a body of media material having opposed first and second ends. First and second end cap assemblies are adjacent the first and second ends of the body. A shell of wound composite material encapsulates and retains the body and first and second end cap assemblies together to define an integrated pressure vessel. Methods of assembling are also provided.

Provided is a spiral membrane module which is suitable for being set up in the vertical direction since at one end of its pressure vessel, the supply of feed liquid and the discharge of concentrated liquid can be attained.

A spiral wound module assembly including: a plurality of spiral wound modules aligned within a pressure vessel with a first module located adjacent the first end and a second module located adjacent the second end, a flow plate including opposing first and second sides positioned within the pressure vessel between the first spiral wound module and the first end of the pressure vessel with the first side facing the first spiral wound module and the second side facing the first end, and wherein the flow plate includes a plurality of holes passing from the first side to the second side which create a pressure drop in fluid passing from the first spiral wound module and the closer of the feed inlet port and concentrate outlet port; and a differential pressure sensor adapted to measure differences in pressure between fluid located on the opposing sides of the flow plate.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for flow control devices on a spiral wound membrane, on a device proximal the inlet edge of a spiral wound membrane, or both. The flow directing devices can alter fluid flow characteristics to discourage fouling of the inlet fluid paths.

Embodiments herein relate to filtration devices having spiral wound filtration element. In an embodiment, a filtration device is included having a first spiral wound filter element. The first spiral wound filter element can include one or more spacing layers, one or more membrane layers disposed in between the one or more spacing layers, and a plurality of spacing elements. The first spiral wound filter element can have an aspect ratio that is less than 8:1 height to width. Other embodiments are also included herein.

A filter element assembly comprises a filtration media and an end fitting through which a sealing connection is made between the assembly and a housing so that the end fitting defines a flow path between the housing and the filtration media. The end fitting has first and second parts which can be separated axially, and the filter media extends axially away from the second part in a direction away from the first part. Each of the parts has an outer wall with an external threaded cylindrical surface, and each of the first and second parts has an axially facing edge surface which faces the other of the first and second parts, the facing edge surfaces shaped to define a pre-determined relative rotational alignment of the first and second parts, where the parts fit together so that the threads on the external surfaces of the parts form a continuous thread.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for flow control devices on a spiral wound membrane, on a device proximal the inlet edge of a spiral wound membrane, or both. The flow directing devices can alter fluid flow characteristics to discourage fouling of the inlet fluid paths.