A membrane assembly of an energy and vapor exchanger includes a gas-permeable membrane having a first major surface that faces a gas flow and a second major surface that faces a liquid desiccant flow. An inlet region is proximate an inlet edge of the gas-permeable membrane. The inlet region includes a vortex generator that creates a vortex in the gas flow as it moves from the inlet edge to an outlet edge of the gas-permeable membrane. The vortex enhances mixing of fluids along the gas-permeable membrane.

Apparatus for in-line liquid exchanging a biomolecule-containing liquid is provided. The apparatus comprises a means for mixing at least two liquids comprising a multiple inlet flow-controller, the means for mixing also comprising an outlet in fluid connection with a tangential flow filtration device configured in single-pass mode.

A system for remedying deep-sea mine tailings includes a reaction basin in which the solid-liquid ratio of deep-sea mine tailings is adjusted and into which aluminum sulfate is injected as an additive for extraction of heavy metals from the deep-sea mine tailings.

A tubular membrane is provided with a vortex generator at an upstream end of the tubular membrane. A spacer with multiple vortex generators may be added to module having a plurality of tubular membranes. A cap over the spacer may have separate inlets for a feed water and gas mixture and recirculating retentate. A system for membrane filtration includes a tubular membrane, a vortex generator, a liquid pump, a gas pump, and a retentate recirculation loop. In a filtration process, a gas is pumped into a flow of a feed liquid to produce a two-phase flow wherein the liquid is the continuous phase. The two-phase flow passes through the vortex generator and through a lumen of the tubular membrane. A continuous gas phase forms in part of the lumen of the tubular membrane. Contaminants in the liquid may be biased towards the continuous gas phase.

A high velocity cross flow dynamic membrane filtration system disc membrane assembly includes a frame having first and second end members and a plurality of rails extending between the first and second end members. At least two parallel support shafts are coupled to the frame, each support shaft defining a longitudinal axis about which is positioned a plurality of axially spaced membrane discs. The plurality of membrane discs associated with one of the at least two parallel support shafts is interspersed between the plurality of membrane discs associated with another of the at least two parallel support shafts. Each rail of the plurality of rails is configured to be received by a mounting rail within a vessel defining a treatment chamber. A permeate tube is coupled to each support shaft and in fluid communication with the membrane discs associated with that support shaft.

A full-effect reverse osmosis membrane element includes a central tube and a reverse osmosis membrane assembly wound around the central tube. The reverse osmosis membrane assembly includes a pair of reverse osmosis membranes attached at front surfaces thereof and wound around the central tube. A water feed channel has a water inlet formed at front edges of the reverse osmosis membranes and a water outlet formed at rear edges of the reverse osmosis membranes. A water division structure is arranged in the water feed channel, and includes a first water division band forming a preset space with the central tube when the reverse osmosis membranes are in an unfolded state. The first water division band divides the water feed channel into a first flow channel having a gradually decreasing cross-section and a second flow channel in communication with the first flow channel.

A selectively permeable membrane device for separating a first fluid from a second fluid in a flow can include a membrane conduit configured to receive the flow and to allow permeation of the first fluid therethrough, and configured to not allow permeation of the second fluid. The device can include a residence time enhancing structure disposed within the membrane conduit and configured to increase residence time of the flow within the membrane conduit.

Apparatus for in-line liquid exchanging a biomolecule-containing liquid is provided. The apparatus comprises a means for mixing at least two liquids comprising a multiple inlet flow-controller, the means for mixing also comprising an outlet in fluid connection with a tangential flow filtration device configured in single-pass mode.

An integrated forward osmosis-membrane distillation (FO-MD) module and systems and methods incorporating the module is disclosed providing higher efficiencies and using less energy. The FO-MD module is osmotically and thermally isolated. The isolation can prevent mixing of FO draw solution/FO permeate and MD feed, and minimize dilution of FO draw solution and cooling of MD feed. The module provides MD feed solution and FO draw solution streams that flow in the same module but are separated by an isolation barrier. The osmotically and thermally isolated FO-MD integrated module, systems and methods offer higher driving forces of both FO and MD processes, higher recovery, and wider application than previously proposed hybrid FO-MD systems.

Apparatus for in-line liquid exchanging a biomolecule-containing liquid is provided. The apparatus comprises a means (3) for mixing at least two liquids comprising a multiple inlet flow-controller (2), the means for mixing also comprising an outlet in fluid connection with a tangential flow filtration device (1) configured in single-pass mode.