Features applied to the inlet or exit edges of membrane sheets in spiral wound membrane elements may incorporate different heights or patterns than the feed space patterns in the middle of the membrane sheets in order to facilitate more open and more fluid dynamically favorable inlet spaces for the feed solution in spiral wound membrane elements. This configuration can reduce the fouling potential on the feed end of the membrane element, and provide less pressure drop on the inlet and exit ends of the membrane modules.

A flow guide mesh has a water inlet side and a water outlet side opposite to each other, wherein a first water isolating material is provided on the water inlet side of the flow guide mesh to seal a part of the water inlet side, and an effective water inlet width is defined on the water inlet side, a second water isolating material is provided on the water outlet side of the flow guide mesh to seal a part of the water outlet side, and an effective water outlet width is defined on the water outlet side. In addition, the flow guide mesh has a comb-like structure comprising at least one comb tooth within the effective water outlet width of the water outlet side. Also disclosed are a membrane element and a filter assembly.

An integrated solar PV panel-membrane distillation system includes a solar photovoltaic panel having a front face for receiving solar energy and a back face, opposite to the front face and a membrane distillation device attached directly to the back face of the solar photovoltaic panel. The solar photovoltaic panel is configured to simultaneously generate electrical energy and transfer heat to the back membrane distillation device for generating fresh water from contaminated water.

In embodiments of the present invention, flow dividing strips are used in the construction of the spiral wound element to segregate and direct feed to reject flow of a reverse osmosis element Flow dividing strips isolate the flow of fluid through distinct regions of the spiral-wound element. The flow dividing features can also be used to direct flow within the element in order to create a longer flow path for the fluid through the element, enabling even higher recovery in some applications.

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.

Filter elements for perfusion systems and methods are provided. A filter element sheet includes a microporous membrane having a mean pore size of at least about 0.65 μm and a feed spacer comprising woven fibers and having an open area of at least about 35%. The filter element sheet can be arranged within a filter element, for example, in a spiral-wound format or in a cassette format. A perfusion system includes at least one filter element and a pump configured to control flow of a liquid feed through the at least one filter element.

Provided is a feed spacer for reducing differential pressure of a reverse osmosis element, the feed spacer forming the reverse osmosis element, the feed spacer comprising a plurality of strands disposed in a mesh shape having predetermined intersection points, and wherein a vertical cross section of each of the strands has a rhombic shape such that a pressure loss of in the feed spacer is minimized by an effective flow of raw water at an interface of a reverse osmosis membrane, and a nozzle for forming the feed spacer.

A method is disclosed for monitoring deposit formation in an aqueous process. The method includes providing a feed flow of aqueous liquid onto a receiving surface of a monitoring cell. At least part of the receiving surface is illuminated with a light source. Visual data is collected at a multitude of positions across the receiving surface, and the collected visual data is analysed. A quantitative scaling and/or fouling indication is computed for the receiving surface. The monitoring cell has an inlet for the aqueous feed flow and an outlet for a reject flow from the monitoring cell. The receiving surface includes a selective barrier membrane. The feed flow is directed to the receiving surface at an elevated pressure to produce a permeate part that passes through the selective barrier membrane, and a concentrate part that forms the reject flow.

Provided are a spiral-wound gas separation membrane element, a manufacturing method therefor, a gas separation membrane module and a gas separation apparatus that include the element. The element includes a laminated body wound around a perforated central tube and including a separation membrane-flow channel member composite body. The composite body includes a gas separation membrane including a first porous layer and a hydrophilic resin composition layer. The gas separation membrane is folded with the first porous layer being located outside the hydrophilic resin composition layer. The composite body also includes a flow channel member that forms a gas flow channel, the flow channel member being sandwiched in the folded gas separation membrane. The flow channel member is provided with a first cover that covers one end portion of four end portions. The first cover is located closest to a turn-back part of the folded gas separation membrane.

A hollow fiber membrane module includes: a tubular case; a hollow fiber membrane bundle; and a pair of sealing and fixing portions, in which an outside-membrane channel that passes by an outer wall of each of the hollow fiber membranes and an inside-membrane channel that passes through the hollow inside of each of the hollow fiber membranes are formed, moist air flows through the outside-membrane channel, and dry air flows through the inside-membrane channel, whereby moisture in the moist air is supplied to the dry air by a membrane separation effect of the hollow fiber membranes, wherein a plurality of spaces are disposed between the case inner wall and the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and a restriction portion that restricts the hollow fiber membrane from entering into the spaces is partially disposed between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and each of the spaces.