| abstract |
The invention is a membrane separation device having a housing which serves the dual role of a lightweight, impact-resistant shipping container and a recloseable vessel for the separation membranes. The housing reduces handling of the membranes, facilitates assembly of permeation systems and improves repair, replacement and inspection of membranes. The housing is preferably fabricated from expanded polystyrene. In an alternate embodiment, the configuration of the inside surface of the housing may be altered to provide a non-uniform or non-cylindrical annular space. The separation systems are particularly useful for gas separations. |