PERMEATION SEPARATION ELEMENT

摘要

An improved element for the selective permeation separation of components of fluid mixtures comprises (1) thin layers of substantially parallel hollow filaments separated by (2) thin foraminous materials which restrict movement and prevent nesting of the hollow filaments during use of the element, and (3) a resinous tube sheet structure encapsulating a portion of the hollow filaments, with open ends of the filaments extending through the tube sheet structure. A permeation separation device incorporates the improved element in a surrounding shell with means for introducing into and removing a fluid mixture from the shell and means for removing separated components of the mixture from the open ends of the hollow filament membranes. Preferably the device also contains a foraminous tube in the center with the foraminous material and hollow filaments convolutely wrapped around the tube. Such devices are particularly useful for the reverse osmosis desalination of water.