The disclosure relates to a system and method for cleaning filters, such as membrane filters. More particularly, a method and system are disclosed for retaining a plurality of small particulates, preferably in the shape of beads, which contact sludge or other despots on the membrane filters to remove unwanted debris that would otherwise form on the cleaning filters. In various embodiments, the plurality of small particulates are retained in a permeable enclosure formed of wedgewire.

Membrane-based hydrogen purifiers having graphite frame members. The purifiers include a hydrogen-separation membrane module with at least one membrane cell containing at least one hydrogen-selective membrane, which includes a permeate face and an opposed mixed gas face, and a fluid-permeable support structure that physically contacts and supports at least a central region of the permeate face. The membrane cell further includes a permeate-side frame member and a mixed gas-side frame member. The permeate-side frame member is interposed between the hydrogen-selective membrane and the fluid-permeable support structure to physically contact a peripheral region of the permeate face and a peripheral region of the fluid-permeable support structure. The mixed gas-side frame member physically contacts a peripheral region of the mixed gas face. At least one of the permeate-side frame member and the mixed gas-side frame member is a graphite frame member.

The disclosure relates to a container for a filter cartridge, and a filter set which comprises such a container. The container has a bottom with a drain line connecting a cavity for accommodating the filter cartridge with the outer side of the container, and a side wall. The bottom and the side wall form the cavity. The filter cartridge is filled with a filter material. In order to enable utilisation of both ion exchanger filter cartridges and reverse osmosis filter cartridges, the drain line includes an extension that can receive a throttle valve, e.g. an apertured diaphragm, when using a reverse osmosis filter cartridge and, in addition, includes a ball valve that is closed when the inserted filter cartridge is an ion exchanger filter cartridge, and open otherwise.

A sea water desalination system and reverse osmosis element for use in a desalination system are provided. The reverse osmosis element includes a body of media material having opposed first and second ends. First and second end cap assemblies are adjacent the first and second ends of the body. A shell of wound composite material encapsulates and retains the body and first and second end cap assemblies together to define an integrated pressure vessel. Methods of assembling are also provided.

A sea water desalination system and reverse osmosis element for use in a desalination system are provided. The reverse osmosis element includes a body of media material having opposed first and second ends. First and second end cap assemblies are adjacent the first and second ends of the body. A shell of wound composite material encapsulates and retains the body and first and second end cap assemblies together to define an integrated pressure vessel. Methods of assembling are also provided.

A gas separation module and assembly for housing ceramic tubular membranes. The module includes a plurality of tubes containing the ceramic tubular membranes. The tubes are arranged parallel to one another and are supported by tube sheet plates at each end. Gas-tight seals surround each membrane, preventing a permeate gas within the inner lumen of the membrane from mixing with a feed or residue gas in the tube interior. The module also contains a gas distribution pipe for introducing feed gas into, and withdrawing residue out of, the module. This configuration allows for ceramic tubular membranes to be modularized for use in an assembly that carries out many types of gas separations.

An air separation module includes a shell configured to house an air separation membrane, an inlet configured to receive supply air, an oxygen-enriched air outlet configured to exhaust oxygen from the air separation module, and a nitrogen-enriched air outlet configured to supply a stream of nitrogen-enriched air to a fuel tank of an aircraft. The air separation module also includes a condition monitoring sensor integral with the air separation module and configured to measure at least one of a plurality of conditions; and a connector integral with the air separation module and configured to join the condition monitoring sensor with an electrical system of the aircraft.

A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.

A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel. The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.

A gas separation membrane module includes a seal between a higher pressure gas and a lower pressure gas. The seal includes a compressible sealing member in between sealing surfaces. At least one of the sealing surfaces has corrosion-resistant cladding provided over either low alloy steel or high alloy steel.

The cladding reduce the possibility of a seal failure due to corrosion of low alloy or high alloy steel exposed to acid gases or condensed moisture containing acid gases dissolved therein while at the same not requiring that all surfaces of the membrane module exposed to acid gases be provided with cladding.