Importance

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Abstract

Membrane disk assemblies include membrane disks which have feed and residue apertures formed through and bounded entirely by a perimetrical edge region of the disk. Preferably, the feed and residue apertures are formed though a fluid-impermeable support rim positioned in the perimetrical edge region of the membrane disk which serves to sealably bond the exterior membrane sheets and at least one interposed permeate carrier sheet one to another. Most preferably, the support rim includes inwardly directed lobes through which the feed and residue apertures are formed. The membrane disks will also include a central permeate aperture in fluid communication with the carrier sheet interposed between the pair of membrane sheets. When a number of such membrane disks are assembled in stacked relationship with the feed, residue and central permeate apertures registered, there will be formed respective feed, residue and permeate passageways through the stack. In order to create the desired flow of fluid through the stack of membrane disks and across the active surfaces of the membrane sheets, annular high and low pressure seals are interposed concentrically between adjacent membrane disks in the stack. In addition to providing necessary sealing functions, the high and low pressure seals define a slight, but significant, clearance space between immediately adjacent membrane sheets of membrane disks in the stack to allow for fluid flow between the feed and residue apertures.

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First Claim