Membrane module

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a membrane module, comprising a plurality of bar-shaped ceramic filter elements disposed parallel to each other and stretched on the ends of the bay by covers, which extend perpendicular to said bars. Said modules also comprise sealing elements provided in-between the ends of the bars in addition to holes in the covers. The invention is characterized by the following features: initially, the individual sealing element is partially produced by finishing the inner hole thereof intended for surrounding the end of the bar to its final size while the outer surface of the sealing element remains unprocessed so that a sealing blank is formed; the sealing blank is then inserted into a support having outer dimensions in the insertion area corresponding to the mean outer dimensions of all filter elements or a plurality of filter elements. The outer surface of the sealing blank inserted into the support is processed to its set size thereby forming the finished sealing element. The finished sealing element is inserted into the end area of a filter element and assembled along with the other usual elements to form a finished membrane module.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . A ceramic filter element comprising: 
 a main part having a circular cross-section with a first outer diameter; and    a terminal region having a circular cross-section with a second outer diameter, said second outer diameter being smaller than said first outer diameter so that a shoulder is defined, said shoulder being sufficient to take up an axial thrust force.    
     
     
         11 . The ceramic filter element of  claim 10 , wherein said terminal region comprises a sealing material.  
     
     
         12 . The ceramic filter element of  claim 10 , wherein said terminal region has an end face and said shoulder is spaced axially from said end face.  
     
     
         13 . The ceramic filter element of  claim 10 , further comprising a second terminal region having said second outer diameter so that a second shoulder is defined, said second shoulder being sufficient to take up an axial thrust force.  
     
     
         14 . A ceramic filter element comprising: 
 a main part having a first outer dimension;    a terminal region having a second outer dimension, said second outer dimension being smaller than said first outer dimension; and    a shoulder defined at an intersection of said main part and said terminal region, said shoulder having the ability to take up an axial thrust force that acts upon the ceramic filter element.    
     
     
         15 . The ceramic filter element of  claim 14 , further comprising a second terminal region having said second outer dimension and a second shoulder defined at an intersection of said main part and said second terminal region, said second shoulder having the ability to take up an axial thrust force that acts upon the ceramic filter element.  
     
     
         16 . The ceramic filter element of  claim 14 , wherein said main part and said terminal region have a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of circular, oval, hexagonal, polygonal, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The ceramic filter element of  claim 14 , wherein said terminal region comprises a sealing material.  
     
     
         18 . The ceramic filter element of  claim 14 , wherein said terminal region has an end face and said shoulder is spaced axially from said end face.