Cross-pleated membrane cartridges, and method and apparatus for making cross-pleated membrane cartridges

摘要

A membrane cartridge is manufactured by repeatedly folding and joining two strips of membrane to form a cross-pleated cartridge with a stack of openings or fluid passageways configured in an alternating cross-flow arrangement. The cartridge can be modified for other flow configurations including co-flow and counter-flow arrangements. Methods for manufacturing such cross-pleated membrane cartridges, as well as apparatus used in the manufacturing process are described. Cross-pleated membrane cartridges comprising water-permeable membranes can be used in a variety of applications, including in heat and water vapor exchangers. In particular they can be incorporated into energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) for exchanging heat and water vapor between air streams being directed into and out of buildings.

主权项

1. A heat and water vapor exchanger comprising:
a housing with a first inlet port, a first outlet port, a second inlet port and a second outlet port; and at least one cross-pleated cartridge enclosed within the housing, each cross-pleated cartridge comprising multiple layers of folded water-permeable membrane material defining a stack of alternating first and second fluid passageways, wherein each layer comprises a portion of two strips of the water-permeable membrane material joined by at least one seam; wherein the first fluid passageways are oriented at 90° to the second fluid passageways, and the first fluid passageways fluidly connect the first inlet port to the first outlet port and the second fluid passageways fluidly connect the second inlet port to the second outlet port.