Membrane Potting Methods

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed which reduce stress formation in potting heads for porous hollow filtration membranes. In one example, there is disclosed a potting sleeve for forming a potting head which includes a first fixed portion and a second portion which is movable relative to the first fixed portion to reduce a peripheral extent thereof. In another example, a method of mounting a porous hollow membrane in a membrane filtration apparatus includes positioning a portion of porous hollow membranes within a mold and introducing a curable potting material into the mold so as to immerse the portion of the porous hollow membranes and at least part of one or more deformable members in the potting material. The method further includes at least partially curing the potting material to form a potting head and removing the potting head and the one or more deformable members from the mold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A potting sleeve for use in forming a potting head having a porous hollow membrane mounted therein, the potting sleeve including a first fixed portion and a second portion which is movable relative to the first fixed portion to reduce a peripheral extent of the second portion. 
     
     
         2 . The potting sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the potting sleeve is inwardly deformable to reduce the peripheral extent thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The potting sleeve of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion of the potting sleeve includes structurally weakened regions configured to provide for the second portion of the potting sleeve to be inwardly deformable. 
     
     
         4 . The potting sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the potting sleeve includes one or more openings in a wall of the potting sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The potting sleeve of  claim 4 , wherein the openings are slots. 
     
     
         6 . The potting sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the potting sleeve is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         7 . A method of mounting a porous hollow membrane in a potting head of a membrane filtration apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a mold for receiving potting material;   positioning a potting sleeve within the mold, the potting sleeve including a first fixed portion and a second portion which is movable relative to the first fixed portion to reduce a peripheral extent of the second portion;   positioning a portion of the porous hollow membrane to be mounted in a region of the mold encompassed by the potting sleeve;   introducing a curable potting material into the region to immerse the portion of the porous hollow membrane in the potting material;   at least partially curing the potting material to form the potting head; and   removing the potting head and the potting sleeve from the mold.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second portion of the potting sleeve is inwardly deformable to reduce the peripheral extent thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second portion of the potting sleeve includes structurally weakened regions configured to provide for the second portion of the potting sleeve to be inwardly deformable. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the potting sleeve is provided with one or more openings in a wall of the potting sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the openings are slots. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second portion of the potting sleeve is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         13 . A method of mounting a porous hollow membrane in a support structure of a membrane filtration apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a mold for receiving potting material;   positioning one or more deformable members within the mold;   positioning a portion of the porous hollow membrane to be mounted within the mold;   introducing a curable potting material into the mold to immerse the portion of the porous hollow membrane and at least part of the one or more deformable members in the potting material;   at least partially curing the potting material to form the potting head; and   removing the potting head and the one or more deformable members from the mold.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the deformable member comprises a cylindrical plug. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plug is hollow and collapsible. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the deformable member is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the deformable member is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a soft resin material and rubber. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein an outer surface of the deformable member is provided with engagement formations. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the engagement formations comprise one or more of a groove, a rib, a shoulder, and a fin. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the engagement formations extend axially from a central body of the deformable member. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the engagement formations extend circumferentially from a central body of the deformable member. 
     
     
         22 . A structural element for supporting a potting head having a porous hollow membrane mounted therein and extending from a first surface of the potting head, the structural element comprising a cap configured to engage with a potting sleeve of the potting head, the cap having a bearing surface which supports a second surface of the potting head opposite to the first surface of the potting head when the cap is engaged with the potting sleeve. 
     
     
         23 . The structural element of  claim 22 , wherein the cap is generally cylindrical and the bearing surface includes one or more radially extending ribs. 
     
     
         24 . The structural element of  claim 22 , wherein the structural element extends into the second surface of the potting head. 
     
     
         25 .- 29 . (canceled)