Separation systems, elements, and methods for separation utilizing stacked membranes and spacers

摘要

An example separation system includes a stack of membrane plate assemblies. An example membrane plate assembly may include membranes bonded to opposite sides of a spacer plate. The spacer plate may include a first opening in fluid communication with a region between the membranes, and a second opening in fluid communication with a region between membrane plate assemblies. Adjacent membrane plate assemblies in the stack may have alternating orientations such that bonding areas for adjacent membranes in the stack may be staggered. Accordingly, two isolated flows may be provided which may be orthogonal from one another.

主权项

1. A separation system comprising:
a plurality of membrane plate assemblies, wherein each of the membrane plate assemblies comprise:
a spacer plate comprising a spacing region, wherein the spacer plate at least partially defines at least a first opening and at least a second opening, wherein the spacer plate comprises a first surface having a first bonding area and a second surface generally opposite the first surface, the second surface having a second bonding area that is laterally offset from the first bonding area;a first membrane bonded to the first surface at the first bonding area;a second membrane bonded to the second surface at the second bonding area; wherein the membrane plate assemblies form a stack, with adjacent membrane plate assemblies in the stack including substantially identical spacer plates being arranged in 180° alternating orientations aligned and stacked on one another, and the first bonding area of a first spacer plate and the second bonding area of an adjacent spacer plate of the adjacent membrane plate assemblies substantially align with one another; wherein the first opening is in fluid communication with a region between the first and second membranes at least partially defining a first flow path; and one or more support plates coupled to hold the plurality of membrane plate assemblies in a stack, wherein at least one of the support plates defines at least one fluid port.