Solution separating and recovering equipment

Claim 1

A solution separating and recovering equipment comprising at least one set of associated plates comprising a separating plate having a central opening therein in which a solution separating module is mounted so as to prevent flow through the opening without passing through the module, the separating module including a normally flat microporous membrane which is repeatedly bent in a zigzag manner along regularly and closely spaced parallel lines and compressed in a direction normal to the lines so as to form a plurality of essentially identical, parallel, V-shaped channels for guiding the flow of solution across the separating module, a solution guide plate sealably fitted to one side of the separating plate, the solution guide plate having an inlet opening therethrough which communicates with one end of each of the plurality of channels and having a central portion which overlies a major portion of the channels and renders the channels triangular in cross-section, and a permeate guide plate sealably fitted to the other side of the separating plate, the permeate guide having an outlet opening therethrough which communicates with the channels in the separating module on the permeate side for removing the permeate, and a pair of side plates fitted to the other sides of the solution guide plate and the permeate guide plate and having means therein for transferring the respective fluid therethrough to the juxtaposed guide plate.