The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.

Assembly for treating fluids, comprising a support (12) having a first and second oppositely arranged surfaces (121) for backing support of a semi permeable membrane (11), a first fluid conveying compartments (124) interposed between the first and second surfaces, a plurality of first fluid passages (126) extending from the first surface (121) and being in fluid communication with the first compartments (124), and a first duct attached to the support (12) and in fluid communication with the first compartments. The assembly comprises a second compartment (125) arranged for conveying fluid and different from the first compartment, and a second duct attached to the support (12) and configured to be in fluid communication with the second compartment (125).

A planar membrane cartridge includes a support and a semi-permeable membrane layer. The support includes a first layer attached to a second layer and defining a front face and a back face of the support. At least one of the first layer and the second layer form a first embossment and a second embossment. Respective back faces of the first layer and the second layer are attached to each other along edges of the first embossment and of the second embossment, such that the first embossment defines a fluid compartment between the first layer and the second layer and the second embossment defines an internal channel between the first layer and the second layer which is isolated from the fluid compartment. An area of the first layer corresponding to the first embossment is covered by the semi-permeable membrane layer.

Membrane cell stack arrangement comprising a housing, a stack of membranes defining flow compartments and a fluid manifold system, wherein the direction of flow through the flow compartments is different to the direction of flow through entry and exit openings and the width of the entry and exit openings are each larger than 45% of the width of the flow compartment.

A spacer for a membrane module, the spacer comprising: a plurality of first filaments defining a plurality of fluid flow channels, in use the plurality of fluid flow channels being adjacent a membrane of the membrane module; and a plurality of second filaments provided on the plurality of first filaments and extending into the fluid flow channels, the second filaments moveable relative to the first filaments in response to an external stimulus during flow of fluid in the fluid flow channels.

A membrane cartridge including: a filtration membrane (2); and a support plate (3). The support plate (3) includes a reference surface, a first joint portion (32) protruding from the reference surface, and a second joint portion (33) retreated from the reference surface, the second joint portion (33) is provided closer to an outer edge (35) of the support plate (3) than the first joint portion (32) is, at least a portion of an outer edge portion (21) of the filtration membrane (2) is joined to the support plate (3) at the second joint portion (33), and a portion of the filtration membrane (2) inward of the outer edge portion (21) is joined to the support plate (3) at the first joint portion (32).

A spacer for a membrane module, the spacer comprising: a plurality of first filaments defining a plurality of fluid flow channels, in use the plurality of fluid flow channels being adjacent a membrane of the membrane module; and a plurality of second filaments provided on the plurality of first filaments and extending into the fluid flow channels, the second filaments moveable relative to the first filaments in response to an external stimulus during flow of fluid in the fluid flow channels.

A flat filter for water treatment is provided. The flat filter for water treatment according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: filtration members formed in the shape of a plate having a predetermined area; support frames, which are coupled to the rim sides of the filtration members so as to support the filtration members, and have channels into/in which filtered water produced through the filtration members flows and moves; and gap adjustment members coupled to the support frames so as to adjust the gap between the filtration members adjacent to one another.

A membrane separation device includes a plurality of membrane elements each having a separation membrane arranged on front and back sides of a flat filter plate, wherein the membrane elements are oriented vertically and arranged in an array separated by a fixed distance such that the separation membranes are facing one another. A narrowing member is provided outside of the membrane element arranged at the outermost position along the arrangement direction, the narrowing member being disposed at least in a vicinity of a bonding portion of the filter plate and the separation membrane along the vertical direction thereof so as to be separated from the outermost membrane element by a predetermined distance smaller than the fixed distance T, thereby avoiding rupture of the separation membrane provided on outer side of the outermost membrane element even if aeration is continued in a state in which the filtering operation is stopped.

A filtration system suitable for recovering base stock from used lubricating oil and other applications pass feedstock over nano-filtration membranes assembled as a stack of membranes all experiencing parallel flow. On exiting a first stack of membranes the feedstock passes through an opening in a pressure-sustaining separator plate to flow in the reverse direction past a second stack of membranes and subsequently establish a serpentine flow of feedstock through multiple stacks of membranes. The stacks of membranes all share a common pressure containment vessel. Pressure boosters installed in the flow-through openings of separator plates separating consecutive stacks can serve to restore lost pressure of the feedstock and maintain effective permeation of permeate through the membranes. A pressure control valve at the outlet to the permeate-receiving cavities of a stack can be used to adjust the trans-membrane pressure.