Tubular membrane module

Claim 1

A tubular membrane module comprising, means for providing an alternative to potted and rubber boot end sealing, including a tubular shell having first and second ends and a permeate outlet adjacent one of said ends; first and second end fittings at each end of the shell, said fittings having respective fluid passageways therethrough and being adapted to permit coupling of the module to external fluid inlet and outlet means; a plurality of membrane tubes extending longitudinally within said shell, each tube comprising a porous pipe having a permeable membrane on an inner surface thereof; and, first and second coupling members at opposite ends of the membrane tubes, coupling said end fittings with said tubes and shell, each coupling member including: (1) an inner end portion having a tubular external surface snugly fitted within an end portion of said shell, said surfaces being in fluid-tight relationship; (2) an outer end portion having atubular surface dimensioned to make surface-to-surface contact with a corresponding tubular surface portion of said end fitting, said surface being sealed together, and, (3) a transverse wall between said inner and outer end portions, said wall provided with a plurality of sockets, each closely receiving an end portion of one of said membrane tubes with said tube end portion adhesively secured within the socket, the sockets providing communication between the interiors of the tubes and the exterior of the module through the fluid passageway of the relevant end fitting.