Multiple bore reverse osmosis module

Claim 2

An open pore reverse osmosis membrane support module made of bonded resin-coated filler particles having a granular structure and an average particle size between 40 and 500 microns, the resin coating constituting about 2 to 18 percent of the coated filler particle weight, the module having terminal ends sealed with a liquid-impermeable polymeric sealing composition comprising catalyst and polymers selected from the group consisting of thermoset resins, thermoplastic resins, rubbers and mixtures thereof, said sealing composition having a postgellation shrinkage on cure of less than 4 percent, and having a plurality of spaced-apart feed bores extending from end to end therethrough comprising: a. a semipermeable membrane lining each of said feed bores; and b. means for sealing said membranes into the feed bores.

Claim 3

The open pore reverse osmosis membrane support module of claim 1 wherein the resin coating the filler particles is selected from the group consisting of phenolics, polyglycidyl ethers, polyesters, silicones, polystyrenes, polyimides, polyamide-imides, allyl resins and furahe resins.

Claim 4

The open pore reverse osmosis membrane support module of claim 2 containing at least one effluent bore, said module contained within a supporting casing.

Claim 5

The open bore reverse osmosis support module of claim 2 wherein the liquid-impermeable polymeric sealing composition comprises catalyst and polymers selected from the group consisting of polyglycidyl ethers, phenolics, polyesters, silicones, polystyrenes, polyimides, polamide-imides, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polysulfones, polypropylene oxides, silicone rubbers, nitrile rubbers, butyl rubbers and polysulfide rubbers.

Claim 6

The open pore reverse osmosis support module of claim 4 wherein the liquid-impermeable sealing composition also contains filler particles having a granular structure and a particle size between 0.001 and 150 microns.

Claim 7

The open pore reverse osmosis support module of claim 4 wherein the membranes are sealed into the feed bores by means of an annular grommet having an outside diameter substantially the same as the inside diameter of the bore, said grommet being positioned inside the semipermeable membranes at the terminal ends of the module.

Claim 8

The open pore reverse osmosis support module of claim 4 wherein the membranes are sealed into the feed bores by means of an annular grommet having an outside diameter substantially the same as the inside diameter of the bore, said grommet having a circumferential groove around its outer surface and a mating O-ring the semipermeable membrane being interposed between said mating groove and O-ring said grommet being positioned inside the semipermeable membrane at the terminal ends of the module.

Claim 9

The open pore reverse osmosis membrane support module of claim 4, wherein the sealing composition polymer is a polyglycidyl ether.

Claim 10

The open pore reverse osmosis support module of claim 4 wherein the membranes are sealed into the feed bores by means of a water-curable liquid-impermeable polymeric adhesive which overlaps the membranes and contacts the polymeric sealing composition at the terminal ends of the feed bores.

Claim 11

The open pore tube of claim 9 wherein the water-curable polymeric adhesive comprises curing agent and polymer selected from the group consisting of thermoset resins and rubbers.

Claim 12

A reverse osmosis apparatus which comprises: a. an open pore reverse osmosis membrane support module made of bonded resin-coated filler particles having a granular structure and an average particle size between 40 and 500 microns, the resin coating constituting about 2 to 18 percent of the coated filler particle weight, the module having terminal ends sealed with a liquid-impermeable polymeric sealing composition comprising catalyst and polymers selected from the group consisting of thermoset resins, thermoplastic resins, rubbers and mixtures thereof, said sealing composition having a postgellation shrinkage on cure of less than 4 percent, and having a plurality of spaced-apart feed bores extending from end to end therethrough; a. a semipermeable membrane lining each of said feed bores; c. means for sealing said membranes into the feed bores; d. end plates having flat mating surfaces attached to the sealed terminal ends of said support module; e. means to supply feed to one end of said borEs under pressure; f. means to exhaust feed from said other of said bores; and g. means connecting ends of said bores to form a continuous passageway through aid support module.

Claim 13

A reverse osmosis apparatus which comprises: a. an open pore reverse osmosis membrane support module made of bonded resin-coated filler particles having a granular structure and an average particle size between 40 and 500 microns, the resin coating constituting about 2 to 18 percent of the coated filler particle weight, the module having terminal ends sealed with a liquid-impermeable polymeric sealing composition comprising catalyst and polymers selected from the group consisting of thermoset resins, thermoplastic resins, rubbers and mixtures thereof, said sealing composition having a postgellation shrinkage on cure of less than 4 percent, and having a plurality of spaced-apart feed bores extending from end to end therethrough; a. a semipermeable membrane lining each of said feed bores; c. means for sealing said membranes into the feed bores; d. end plates having flat mating surfaces attached to the sealed terminal ends of said support module; e. means to supply feed to one end of said borEs under pressure; f. means to exhaust feed from said other of said bores; and g. means connecting ends of said bores to form a continuous passageway through aid support module.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the filler are coated by a resin selected from the group consisting of phenolics, polyglycidyl ethers, polyesters, silicones, polystyrenes, polyimides, polyamideimides, allyl resins and furane resins.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said support module is contained within a supporting casing.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the membranes are sealed into the feed bores by means of a liquid-impermeable water-curable polymeric adhesive which overlaps the membranes and contacts the polymeric sealing composition at the terminal ends of the feed bores.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the membranes are sealed into the feed bores by means of an annular grommet having an outside diameter substantially the same as the inside diameter of the bore, said grommet being positioned inside the semipermeable membranes at the terminal ends of the module.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the membranes are sealed into the feed bores by means of an annular grommet having an outside diameter substantially the same as the inside diameter of the bore, said grommet having a circumferential groove around its outer surface and a mating O-ring, the semipermeable membrane being interposed between said mating groove and O-ring, said grommet being positioned inside the semipermeable membrane at the terminal ends of the module.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said support module contains at least one effluent bore.

Claim 20

An open pore reverse osmosis membrane support module made of bonded resin-coated filler particles having a granular structure and an average particle size between 40 and 500 microns, the resin constituting about 4 to 32 volume percent of the coated module, the module having terminal ends sealed with a liquid-impermeable polymeric sealing composition comprising catalyst and polymers selected from the group consisting of thermoset resins, thermoplastic resins, rubbers and mixtures thereof, said sealing composition having a postgellation shrinkage on cure of less than 4 percent, and having a plurality of spaced-apart feed bores extending from end to end therethrough comprising: a. a semipermeable membrane lining each of said feed bores; and b. means for sealing said membranes into the feed bores.

Claim 21

An open pore reverse osmosis membrane support module made of bonded resin-coated filler particles having a granular structure and an average particle size between 40 and 500 microns, the resin constituting about 4 to 32 volume percent of the coated module, the module having terminal ends sealed with a liquid-impermeable polymeric sealing composition comprising catalyst and polymers selected from the group consisting of thermoset resins, thermoplastic resins, rubbers and mixtures thereof, said sealing composition having a postgellation shrinkage on cure of less than 4 percent, and having a plurality of spaced-apart feed bores extending from end to end therethrough comprising: a. a semipermeable membrane lining each of said feed bores; and b. means for sealing said membranes into the feed bores.

Claim 22

The open pore reverse osmosis membrane support module of claim 18, wherein the sealing composition polymer is a polyglycidyl ether and has a viscosity range between about 5,000 to 100,000 cp. at 25* C.