An compact hydraulic manifold for transporting shear sensitive fluids is provided. A channel network can include a trunk and branch architecture coupled to a bifurcation architecture. Features such as tapered channel walls, curvatures and angles of channels, and zones of low fluid pressure can be used to reduce the size while maintaining wall shear rates within a narrow range. A hydraulic manifold can be coupled to a series of microfluidic layers to construct a compact microfluidic device.

A diafiltration system comprises a fluid treatment assembly comprising two or more fluid treatment modules, the fluid treatment assembly comprising a feed inlet, a permeate outlet, and a retentate outlet; each module comprising a cross flow treatment assembly including an ultrafiltration membrane and having a feed side and a permeate side, and a diafiltration fluid distribution plate comprising a diafiltration fluid feed inlet and a common feed permeate/diafiltration fluid permeate outlet port; two or more diafiltration fluid conduits, each conduit in fluid communication with a respective single diafiltration fluid feed inlet; and, a diafiltration fluid pump comprising at least a first multiple channel pump head having at least two channels including separate channels for separate conduits in fluid communication with respective single diafiltration fluid feed inlets, wherein the pump provides simultaneously controlled diafiltration fluid flow rates through each of the conduits to the respective diafiltration fluid feed inlets.

A stack plate device for a humidifier for a fuel cell system includes first stack plates and second stack plates being stacked one on top of each other alternately in a stacking direction, top sides of the first stack plates facing bottom sides of the second stack plates, top sides of the second stack plates facing bottom sides of the first stack plates, and each of the first stack plates and the second stack plates comprising a peripheral frame that encloses a through-opening and has an inflow region and an outflow region. First flow channels and second flow channels are formed in the first stack plates and the second stack plates and formed transversely to one another, the first flow channels and second flow channels being separated by moisture-permeable layers.

The present invention relates to portable filtration units including filter components mated with retentate and permeate flow channels wherein particle containing solutions are introduced into the portable filtration units and contacted with the filter components for filtration thereby producing a retentate outflow and a permeate outflow for capture of desired end product.

A membrane-based heat and mass exchanger includes a plurality of slats where each slat has at least one membrane support structure, a plurality of grooves, at least one first inlet port and one first outlet port for a first fluid, and at least one second inlet port and at least one second outlet port for a second fluid. O-rings or gaskets shaped to match the plurality of grooves are inserted and a plurality of selective membranes is secured to the slats over the supports. The assembly is secured using bolts or clamps for compressing the slats and the selective membranes into an assembly of slats. The slats can be plastic and can be formed from multiple plastic sheets that are welded together to form structures for supporting and channeling fluids through the sheet. The sheets can display a serpentine surface for mixing of fluids under flow.

A membrane assembly includes a membrane film, and a plurality of tensile support members. The membrane film is configured to transfer heat and moisture between a liquid and air flowing through a LAMEE. The tensile support members are connected to the membrane or a substrate connected to the membrane. And, the tensile support members are in spaced relation to 5 one another and oriented perpendicular to a direction of flow of liquid through the LAMEE.

Provided are spacers, ion-exchange devices comprising spacers, and methods of preparing spacers for improved fluid distribution and sealing throughout an ion-exchange device. These spacers can include an internal cavity surrounded by a perimeter of the spacer. The perimeter can have a first opening and a second opening within the perimeter, and the first opening and the second opening can be located on opposite sides of the internal cavity. The spacers can also have a first and second plurality of channels located within the perimeter, wherein each channel of the first and second plurality of channels extends from the internal cavity towards the first opening or the second opening.

A compact hydraulic manifold for transporting shear sensitive fluids is provided. A channel network can include a trunk and branch architecture coupled to a bifurcation architecture. Features such as tapered channel walls, curvatures and angles of channels, and zones of low fluid pressure can be used to reduce the size while maintaining wall shear rates within a narrow range. A hydraulic manifold can be coupled to a series of microfluidic layers to construct a compact microfluidic device.

The present invention relates to portable filtration units including filter components mated with retentate and permeate flow channels wherein particle containing solutions are introduced into the portable filtration units and contacted with the filter components for filtration thereby producing a retentate outflow and a permeate outflow for capture of desired end product.

A membrane contactor for degassing a gas-entrained liquid and to discharge gas-depleted liquid includes: a shell has two ends; a cap closes one shell end; a membrane extends between the shell ends and is enclosed within the shell; a first center tube discharges the gas-entrained liquid into the membrane; a second center tube discharges the gas-depleted liquid from the contactor; and one tube surrounds the other tube. The membrane may be a flat sheet membrane or a hollow fiber membrane. The cap has an in let in fluid communication with the first center tube and an outlet in fluid communication with the second center tube. A baffle may be located within the membrane between the shell ends.