CPC B01D 63/12 (2013.01) [B01D 63/06 (2013.01); B01D 63/062 (2013.01); B01D 63/065 (2013.01); B01D 63/08 (2013.01); B01D 63/10 (2013.01); B01D 63/103 (2013.01); B01D 2313/143 (2013.01); B01D 2313/146 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A filtration device comprising:
a filter element configured to allow a fluid to pass through, the filter element comprising at least:
two membrane layers; and
a 3D-printed spacer that is 0.5 mm or less thick and is positioned sandwiched between at least the two membrane layers, the 3D-printed spacer having a structure comprising a plurality of layers, each of the layers having a two-dimensional pattern, wherein the plurality of layers are stacked on one another to form a plurality of unit cells arranged in three dimension, each of the plurality of unit cells comprising a cavity that is 0.5 mm or less in diameter and is defined by a triply periodic minimal surface, wherein the cavities of the plurality of unit cells are interconnected to allow the fluid to pass through the cavities and to allow the 3D-printed spacer to act as an efficient feed or permeate spacer.
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