A filter element comprises a membrane layer; and a feed spacer on the membrane layer, wherein the feed spacer comprises a plurality of unit cells arranged in three dimensions, wherein each of the plurality of unit cells comprises a cavity defined by a triply periodic minimal surface, and wherein the cavities of the plurality of unit cells are interconnected to allow a fluid to pass through the cavities of the plurality of unit cells.

A filter element comprises a membrane layer; and a feed spacer on the membrane layer, wherein the feed spacer comprises a plurality of unit cells arranged in three dimensions, wherein each of the plurality of unit cells comprises a cavity defined by a triply periodic minimal surface, and wherein the cavities of the plurality of unit cells are interconnected to allow a fluid to pass through the cavities of the plurality of unit cells.

Embodiments of the present invention provide elements that are beneficial for use in fluid filtration. Embodiments provide elements that have variable feed spacer height, variable permeate spacer height, or both. The variable height allows flow properties to be matched to fluid volume as the filtration occurs.

Embodiments of the present invention provide elements that are beneficial for use in fluid filtration. Embodiments provide elements that have variable feed spacer height, variable permeate spacer height, or both. The variable height allows flow properties to be matched to fluid volume as the filtration occurs.

An apparatus utilizes a membrane unit to capture components from atmospheric air, including oxygen and carbon dioxide, resulting in a permeate stream having an enriched concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Alternatively, the membrane unit may be utilized to form a permeate stream having a permeate of enriched fast gas components. The permeate stream is thereafter directed to a permeate processing facility which may include a second stage of permeate enrichment, a flue gas generator, or a carbon dioxide sequestration facility for processing of an enriched stream of carbon dioxide. Among other carbon dioxide sequestration facilities, the carbon dioxide may be biologically sequestered by a facility of photosynthetic organisms, such as trees in an orchard, crops, or the like. The membrane unit may be shell-less and utilize a vacuum or positive pressure to facilitate the flow of fast gas components through a selective barrier of the membrane.

Provided are a porous outflow pipe and an osmosis module comprising same. A porous outflow pipe for forward osmosis or pressure-retarded osmosis, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a hollow pipe provided with a plurality of first through-holes and second through-holes in the lengthwise direction through which a fluid flows in and out; a bypass pipe arranged concentrically inside the hollow pipe in the lengthwise direction; and a partitioning plate formed along the circumference of the bypass pipe, for preventing mixing of a fluid introduced through the front end side of the hollow pipe and a fluid introduced through the second through-holes.

Provided are a porous outflow pipe and an osmosis module comprising same. A porous outflow pipe for forward osmosis or pressure-retarded osmosis, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a hollow pipe provided with a plurality of first through-holes and second through-holes in the lengthwise direction through which a fluid flows in and out; a bypass pipe arranged concentrically inside the hollow pipe in the lengthwise direction; and a partitioning plate formed along the circumference of the bypass pipe, for preventing mixing of a fluid introduced through the front end side of the hollow pipe and a fluid introduced through the second through-holes.

An apparatus utilizes a membrane unit to capture components from atmospheric air, including carbon dioxide, enriches the carbon dioxide concentration, and delivers the enriched concentration of carbon dioxide to a sequestering facility. The membrane is configured such that as a first gas containing oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide is drawn through the membrane, a permeate stream is formed where the permeate stream has an oxygen concentration and a carbon dioxide concentration higher than in the first gas and a nitrogen concentration lower than in the first gas. A permeate conduit, having a vacuum applied to it by a vacuum generating device receives the permeate stream and a delivery conduit delivers at least a portion of the enriched carbon dioxide to a sequestering facility. The apparatus may comprise a component of a system where the system may have a flue gas generator and/or a secondary enrichment system disposed between the vacuum generating device and the sequestering facility.

An apparatus utilizes a membrane unit to capture components from atmospheric air, including carbon dioxide, enriches the carbon dioxide concentration, and delivers the enriched concentration of carbon dioxide to a sequestering facility. The membrane is configured such that as a first gas containing oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide is drawn through the membrane, a permeate stream is formed where the permeate stream has an oxygen concentration and a carbon dioxide concentration higher than in the first gas and a nitrogen concentration lower than in the first gas. A permeate conduit, having a vacuum applied to it by a vacuum generating device receives the permeate stream and a delivery conduit delivers at least a portion of the enriched carbon dioxide to a sequestering facility. The apparatus may comprise a component of a system where the system may have a flue gas generator and/or a secondary enrichment system disposed between the vacuum generating device and the sequestering facility.

The present invention relates to a membrane separation system including a plurality of separation membrane elements connected to one another, each of the separation membrane elements including a plurality of separation membrane pairs, each separation membrane pair including separation membranes each having a feed-side surface and a permeate-side surface and disposed such that the feed-side surfaces face each other, in which the plurality of separation membrane elements include a first separation membrane element and a second separation membrane element, and at least one first separation membrane element serves as a stage preceding the second separation membrane element.