Liquid membrane modules with minimal effective membrane thickness and

Abstract

Modules for use in fluid separations, especially contained liquid membrane separations, exhibit minimal effective membrane thickness. The modules have a module case and bundle of a dense plurality of hollow fiber membranes contained in the case. One set of the fiber membranes in the bundle constitutes feed-fibers while another set of the fiber membranes in the bundle constitutes strip-fibers for use in contained liquid membrane separations. The feed-fibers and strip-fibers are disposed within the elongate module case in opposite generally wave-like paths such that the feed-fibers and strip-fibers converge at generally lengthwise-separated crossing regions within the module. This disposition of the feed-fibers and the strip-fibers minimizes the effective membrane thickness value of the module as compared to conventional contained liquid membrane modules thereby enhancing the efficacy of fluid separations.