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.

A raw water channel spacer capable of suppressing formation of a concentration polarization layer in a region in the vicinity of a separation membrane in a raw water channel, and a spiral wound membrane element including the same are provided. A raw water channel spacer is formed by superposing a first yarn row and a second yarn row, and includes alternately a first mesh structure having a configuration in which first rectangular meshes formed of the yarn rows are continuous in an extending direction of the second yarn row, and a second mesh structure having a configuration in which meshes are continuous in the extending direction of the second yarn row such that an interval in the second yarn row is smaller than an interval of the second yarn row forming the first mesh structure.

Provided is a feed spacer having a three-layer structure, in which a set forming the feed spacer is formed in a three-layer structure, so that the set, which is in contact with a reverse osmosis membrane, convects raw water to a center of the structure of the feed spacer and a laminar flow velocity gradient is generated at the center to decrease a polarization phenomenon of a reverse osmosis filter module and minimize pressure loss, and a reverse osmosis membrane filter module including the feed spacer.

A spiral wound membrane module is suitable for use with high temperature water that may also have a high pH, for example steam injection produced water. The module uses a membrane with a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) backing material. The feed spacer of the module may be made from polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE). The permeate carrier may be made of a woven nylon (i.e. nylon 6, 6) fabric coated with high temperature epoxy. The core tube and anti-telescoping device may be made of polysulfone. In some examples, the module may be used at a temperature of up to 130° C. Optionally, the module may be used at a pH of 9.5 or more. In a filtration method, the module may be operated at a pressure in the range of 150 to 450 psi. The module may be operated at a generally constant pressure.

Provided is a feed spacer, in which angles of strands are differently formed in one feed spacer according to a flow direction of raw water, so that a differential pressure decrease region and a recovery increase region are separated to perform multiple functions, and a reverse osmosis filter module including the feed spacer.

The present disclosure provides systems and methods that can treat feeds with elevated organic levels, e.g., feeds with ≥300 Pascals (Pa) organic osmotic pressure, with one or more enhanced filter membrane modules, which may be referred to herein as membrane modules or simply modules. Preferably, a filter membrane module consistent with the present disclosure include one or more plate and frame modules, one or more spiral format modules, or a combination of plate a frame and spiral format modules. The systems and methods provided herein can provide reliable performance when used to treat feeds with elevated organic levels.

Embodiments of the present invention provide replacement of conventional separate feed spacer mesh with features placed, deposited or integrated on or into either the porous permeate carrier, the inactive side of the membrane sheet, or select portions of the membrane surface.

The present invention relates to a separation membrane element including a supply-side channel member, in which: the supply-side channel member has a net shape in which plural fibrous rows X including fibrous objects A and plural fibrous rows Y including fibrous objects B cross each other sterically to form intersections; at least one of the fibrous objects A and the fibrous objects B have a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion along a longitudinal direction; at least one of the fibrous objects A and the fibrous objects B include a thread that is thinner at a central portion located between intersection portions than at the large diameter portion; and a fiber between an arbitrary intersection and an adjacent intersection is a tapered fiber whose diameter increases like a taper in a direction from one intersection to the other intersection.

A system for producing steam includes a source of superheated water with superheated water output; a membrane filtration system in fluid communication with the superheated water output and including a membrane filter with a permeate side and an opposing retentate side. The membrane filter includes a separation membrane constructed to reject organic molecules. The system may be used for removing organic compounds, such as anti-corrosion agents or contaminants, from superheated water to produce steam. A method for producing steam includes directing a cross-flow of heated pressurized water including a first concentration of an organic compound across a membrane filter. The membrane filter includes a separation membrane constructed to reject the organic compound; and one or more support layers adjacent the separation membrane. A steam permeate including a second concentration of the organic compound is collected, where the second concentration is lower than the first.

A reverse osmosis apparatus for a seawater desalination system is provided. The reverse osmosis apparatus includes a barrel in which a plurality of vessels receiving reverse osmosis membrane units are arranged, a feed tank provided in an intermediate portion of the barrel and connected to a seawater inlet, a first water tank provided inside a first end portion of the barrel and connected to a plurality of first vessels connected to a first side of the feed tank, and a second water tank provided inside a second end portion of the barrel and connected to a plurality of second vessels connected to a second side of the feed tank.