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Fluid flow distribution device

  • US 9,914,097 B2
  • Filed: 03/28/2011
  • Issued: 03/13/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A filtration module comprising:

  • a membrane module having a plurality of permeable hollow membranes vertically extending between an upper header and a lower header;

    an end cap encasing the lower header and including a groove defined by a pair of cap shoulders;

    a feed supply manifold positioned below the lower header and configured to deliver a feed to the permeable hollow membranes;

    a gas supply device positioned below the lower header and configured to deliver a gas to the permeable hollow membranes;

    a fluid distribution device configured and positioned around the plurality of permeable hollow membranes to equalize and uniformly distribute the feed and the gas upwardly to and along surfaces of the permeable hollow membranes and restrict and distribute a waste fluid flow downwardly, the fluid distribution device including an inner surface disposed in the groove, the fluid distribution device surrounding a portion of the membranes and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses separated from one another by radially extending ridges spanning an entire width of the fluid distribution device, each of the recesses defining a single through-hole opening formed in and surrounded by a reduced-width base region of each of the recesses, each of the single through-hole openings centrally located in the reduced-width base region, each of the single through-hole openings, configured to distribute a fluid along surfaces of the permeable hollow membranes; and

    a connecting sleeve including a sleeve shoulder defined on an inner surface thereof, the sleeve shoulder engaging an upper surface of the fluid distribution device, the connecting sleeve further including a bottom portion sealed with the feed supply manifold.

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