A platform has a filter system with a first set of filter modules and a second set of filter modules that is different from the first set of filter modules. Each set of filter modules includes an inflow channel and an outflow channel. A fluid inlet is connected to the first set of filter modules, a fluid outlet is connected to the second set of filter modules, and a separation interface separates the first and second sets of filter modules. The separation interface has a first interface channel to connect to the module outflow channel of the first set of filter modules, and a second interface channel to connect to the module inflow channel of the second set of filter modules. The filter system receives fluid through the fluid inlet and, after the fluid has passed through each set of filter modules, discharges the fluid through the fluid outlet.

A filtration system suitable for recovering base stock from used lubricating oil and other applications passes feedstock over nano-filtration membranes in a serpentine flow. Pressure boosters installed in the openings separating consecutive stacks serve to restore lost pressure of the feedstock. As pretreatment a knocking non-blinding filter separates particulates from a feedstock by a knocking action that dislodges particulate matter which has come to rest on the screen. Further pretreatment includes a vacuum evaporator for flash evaporation of volatile components from a liquid and effecting the extraction of water and glycol from used engine lubricating oil. The liquid is heated or cooled when flowing over some of the surfaces to adjust for heat lost or acquired during exposure of the liquid surface to a gas or vacuum. Liquid moves on the surface of the discs under centrifugal force or a wiper blade guides the liquid as it moves over the support surface.

The present invention relates to modification to permeate channels and permeate materials in a cross-flow filtration system to improve performance in counter current filtration having both retentate channels and permeate channels wherein a solution is pumped through one of the channels and drawn through a membrane to one of the other channels to assist in positive pressure driven filtration by using the osmotic pressure, concentration, or preferential solubility difference between the retentate and permeate flow streams thereby increasing or altering the flux through the membrane separating the flow streams.

A laterally-fed membrane chromatography device for removing a solute from a fluid is provided. The device has a top plate, a middle plate and a bottom plate. The top plate has an inlet and a top channel for directing the fluid from the inlet towards a membrane stack. The middle plate houses the membrane stack. The membrane stack has a leading edge for receiving the fluid from the top channel, a trailing edge for distributing the fluid to the bottom channel, and is configured to remove the solute from the fluid as the fluid passes through the membrane stack. The bottom plate has a bottom channel and an outlet. The bottom channel is for directing the fluid from the membrane stack to the outlet. The top channel directs the fluid form the inlet over the leading edge in a direction that is transverse to the direction of flow of the fluid through the membrane stack.

A method of forming a frame around a membrane stack for a laterally-fed membrane chromatography device is provided. The method includes placing a membrane stack having one or more membrane layers on a bottom surface of body of a master mold, the body having opposed side walls and opposed end walls, the opposed side walls spaced apart by a distance greater than a length of the membrane stack, the opposed end walls spaced apart by a distance greater than a width of the membrane stack; placing a cap on the body of the master mold to enclose the membrane stack in the master mold, the cap having at least one opening for injecting a material into a space defined by the end walls of the master mold, the side walls of the master mold, end walls of the membrane stack side walls of the membrane stack, the bottom surface of the body and an inner surface of the cap; injecting the material into the space around the membrane stack; and curing the material to form a frame around the membrane stack.

A filtration unit for purifying or treating fluid that includes one or more membrane units having a permeate section. The permeate section of the membrane units is fed fluid that passes through a sealing insert having a fluid inlet and a passage that discharges in fluid communication with the permeate section. The sealing insert is arranged in a support frame of the membrane unit to form a fluid channel for delivering fluid through the insert and along an outer perimeter surface that maintains performance of the membrane unit during operation.

The present application includes a system and method that introduces a rather new and unique approach to desalinating or recovering energy from hyper saline waters. The system includes a flat sheet membrane panel assembly including a plurality of membranes laid flat. A plurality of end caps are coupled to the plurality of membranes on opposing ends. A frame is configured to house the plurality of membranes and the plurality of end caps. The frame includes a top and bottom header to secure the membranes and permit the passage of fluid away from the membranes. The method includes subjecting a flat sheet membrane to pressurized untreated fluid. The fluid passes through a porous portion of a frame and is filtered by one or more flat sheet membranes. The treated fluid is collected and the brine is discharged. Pressure of the fluid is regulated to maintain consistent levels.

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 humidifying module for humidifying a fluid, such as an operating fluid of a fuel cell of a motor vehicle, is disclosed. The humidifying module includes a humidifier block including a plurality of first fluid paths through which a first fluid is flowable and a plurality of second fluid paths through which a second fluid is flowable. The plurality of first fluid paths and the plurality of second fluid paths in the humidifier block are fluidically separated from each other via a plurality of gas-tight and humidity-permeable membranes. A liquid separator is provided that is fluidically connected to one of the first fluid paths for flow-through with the first fluid and the second fluid paths for flow-through with the second fluid.

An electrochemical separation device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a cell stack including a plurality of sub-blocks each having alternating depleting compartments and concentrating compartments and each including frame and channel portions disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. An internal seal formed of a first material is disposed between and in contact with the channel portions between adjacent sub-blocks in the cell stack and configured to prevent leakage between depleting compartments and concentrating compartments in the adjacent sub-blocks. An external seal formed of a second material having at least one material parameter different from the first material is disposed between and in contact with the frames of the adjacent sub-blocks in the cell stack and configured to prevent leakage from an internal volume of the electrochemical separation device to outside of the electrochemical separation device.