Filter membrane module, and method for its production

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a membrane module, comprising a plurality of elongated filter elements disposed in parallel adjacent to one another, each element comprising a longitudinal channel, a housing enclosing the filter elements, and a collector chamber between the housing and the filter elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filter membrane module, including: a plurality of elongated filter elements, which each have a plurality of longitudinal conduits; and a housing surrounding the filter elements; wherein the filter elements are potted in both of their end regions with a material, which forms after hardening a mounting ring surrounding the plurality of filter elements; wherein either the housing is slipped over the mounting ring and sealingly joined to it or is unitary with one of the two mounting rings by being manufactured in a single potting operation, wherein the filter elements are formed as flat membranes, which preferably have a segment of a circle type cross section, between which flat and large interstices are provided, and in that the wall surfaces of the longitudinal conduits are coated with a filtration material such that the medium to be filtrated can be conducted through the longitudinal conduits and the filtered medium can be discharged through the interstices and a collecting space which is formed by means of the mounting ring between housing and the flat membranes. 
     
     
         2 . The filter membrane module according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a plastic, for instance thermoplastic, a thermoset plastic or a dual-component plastic, such as epoxy or acrylate. 
     
     
         3 . The filter membrane module according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing has one connection each for the unfiltrate and for the filtrate. 
     
     
         4 . The filter membrane module according to  claim 1 , wherein three sealing elements are potted integrally with the mounting rings. 
     
     
         5 . A method for producing a filter membrane module according to  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises: applying a potting material of plastic, in particular a thermoplastic, a thermoset plastic or a dual-component plastic such as an epoxy or acrylate, to one end region of the plurality of filter elements such that it sheathes the filter elements on their ends and thereby forms a mounting ring; hardening the potting material; doing the same to the other end; if necessary: slipping the housing over the mounting rings; sealing off the mounting rings from the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the end regions of the filter elements are dipped into the potting material. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein a sleeve is used for forming the mounting rings. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein at least the jacket faces of the mounting rings are mechanically machined. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one sealing ring each is potted integrally into a mounting ring.