摘要 |
An apparatus for diffusing matter between a first and second fluid is provided and includes a plurality of spacer plates and a plurality of pairs of semipermeable membranes arranged in a stacked configuration. The spacer plates and semipermeable membranes each include first and second openings which, in the stacked configuration, form first and second vertical flow passages for the first and second fluids, respectively. In addition, the spacer plates include grooves formed in the upper and lower surfaces thereof so that in the stacked configuration, the grooves cooperate to form first horizontal flow passages between the membranes and the spacer plates which are connected to the first vertical flow passage. The pairs of semipermeable membranes are disposed within the grooves to form second horizontal flow passages between the membranes which are connected to the second vertical flow passage, with the second horizontal flow passages being disposed within the first horizontal flow passages. |