Compression seal

Abstract

Disclosed is a potting system, which includes a potting unit having an integral compressible seal formed of the same material as that forming the potting unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seal for potting or holding together hollow fiber membranes. Background Art

[0002] A membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) or a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR) is one of several types of reactors that use submerged membrane modules. In an MABR, a gas (usually oxygen in the form of air) is supplied to the inside of a hollow fiber membrane, and a biofilm is allowed to form on the other side of the membrane. The biofilm is then used to treat water and / or wastewater. The biofilm treats water and / or wastewater by removing carbonaceous contaminants and nitrifying / denitrifying nitrogenous contaminants, and / or biodegrading xenobiotic components of the wastewater. The membrane used in an MABR is an air / oxygen / hydrogen (gas) permeable membrane (usually a hollow fiber membrane) that provides an interface between the fluid to be treated (fluid phase) and the air / oxygen / hydrogen supply (gas phase). Typically, a biofilm composed of a heterogeneous population of bacteria (microorganisms) (usually including nitrifying, denitrifying, and heterotrophic bacteria) grows on the fluid phase side of the membrane. An MABR can achieve bubble-free aeration and high oxygen utilization efficiency (up to 100%).

[0003] The membrane forms a barrier between two fluids, but allows specific molecules or particles of a specific size to pass between these fluids. When manufacturing a membrane module, it is very important that the two fluids remain separate and that there are no defects in the potting that holds the membrane together and seals the membrane to keep the fluids on either side of the membrane separate.

[0004] The membrane can be in one of the following three configurations: hollow fiber configuration, flat sheet configuration, or spiral wound configuration. Membrane modules are typically in a tubular configuration or a submerged configuration. In a submerged membrane module, the membrane is typically configured in a hollow fiber configuration or a flat sheet configuration. In the case of a hollow fiber module, various potting techniques are used to ensure that the membranes are held together and that the fluids on the inside and outside of the membrane do not communicate directly. In some potting techniques, several hollow fiber membranes are grouped together in a bundle or array, and wax or a similar material is placed inside the ends of the hollow fibers. The sealed ends are immersed in a potting agent (which is typically a liquid polymer), or the potting agent is poured or placed over and around the ends of the hollow fiber membranes in a mold that gives the potting its desired shape. As described in U.S. Patent No. 5,639,373, the polymer is allowed to cure, and the polymer must bond well to the membrane material to ensure that the membranes do not loosen and compromise the integrity of the membrane module. The cured potting holds the membranes together and allows the membranes to be assembled into a module. It is important to ensure that the potting agent has wetted each of the hollow fiber membranes. The liquid polymer must have a low enough viscosity to flow between the hollow fibers and bond to the surfaces. The potting agent must also be chemically compatible with the membrane such that the potting agent actively bonds to the surfaces. Potting of the membranes is the most difficult part of membrane module manufacturing and is the cause of failure of most membrane modules.

[0005] In a submerged module, these potted membranes are connected to a header or manifold by being clamped or adhered to ensure a good seal between the potted membranes and the header or manifold, thereby preventing cross - contamination between the two fluids. To ensure a good seal, an adhesive is used that bonds to both the polymer of the potting agent and the material of the header (whether the material is a polymer or another material such as metal). This is to ensure that no leaks form over time. In many cases, the adhesive is the only way to bond the potted membranes to the header. Over time, the adhesive may weaken or be chemically eroded by chemicals or contaminants in the water or wastewater, compromising the integrity of the module. The addition of the adhesive also introduces another step in the manufacturing process. In other cases, seals or gaskets can be placed between the potted membranes and the header. The use of additional seals creates two material interfaces between the potted membranes and the seals and between the seals and the header. This can lead to leaks, and as explained above, over time, the loss of integrity can cause the module to fail.

[0006] Immersion membrane modules are typically used in wastewater applications where the types of contaminants can vary widely depending on whether the applications are municipal or industrial wastewaters, and the concentrations of the contaminants can change from moment to moment depending on environmental or upstream conditions. The conditions can be harsh, with temperatures ranging from 4°C to 40°C, and chemicals such as hypochlorite, acids, and bases are used in the cleaning procedures. These contaminants in the wastewater and the chemicals used in the cleaning procedures can erode the chemical bond between the potting and the manifold, and over time, this chemical bond can become weakened or damaged.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a potting system for holding hollow fiber membranes together such that the potting system has an integral compression seal. When mechanical force is used to push the compression seal against a manifold or header, complete separation is maintained between the fluid inside the hollow fiber membranes and the fluid outside these hollow fiber membranes. The potting system can be used to manufacture membrane modules suitable for transferring dissolved components from one fluid to another.

[0009] In one aspect, there is provided a potting system (1) comprising a potting unit (2) having a body (3) including a distal end (5), an intermediate section (6), and a proximal end (7), wherein the body (3) further includes an integral compressible seal (4) that is continuous with and perpendicular to the body (3) and is made of the same material as the material of the potting unit (2).

[0010] In one aspect, the material is an elastomer. Preferably, the elastomer is selected from polysiloxanes, polyurethanes, natural rubber, nitrile rubber, polyisoprene, and fluoroelastomers. Desirably, the elastomer is a polysiloxane selected from silicone, silicone rubber, silicone resin, silicone foam, and silicone caulking.

[0011] In one aspect, the integral compressible seal (4) is positioned at the base (9) of the body (3).

[0012] On the one hand, the distal end (5) is adapted to receive a hollow fiber membrane (10), and wherein the hollow fiber membrane (10) is potted in the distal end (5) with a potting agent which is the same material as that of the potting unit (2). Preferably, the distal end (5) can be any shape selected from the following: circular, herringbone, cross-shaped, linear, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, other polygonal or circular cross-sectional shapes, oval, triangular star, four-pointed star, five-pointed star, etc.

[0013] On the one hand, the potting unit (2) is a single piece.

[0014] On the one hand, the potting system (1) further includes a clamp (20).

[0015] On the one hand, the clamp (20) includes a first part (21) and a second part (22), and the first part and the second part are configured to engage with the integral compressible seal (4) of the potting unit (2) and apply a downward force to the integral compressible seal. Preferably, the first part (21) includes a series of spaced-apart hollow bodies (24) adapted to receive the integral compressible seal (4) of the potting unit (2).

[0016] On the one hand, the second part (22) includes a corresponding series of spaced-apart hollow bodies (25) adapted to receive and engage with the intermediate section (6) of the body (3).

[0017] On the one hand, the first part (21) includes a series of male / female connectors (26) adapted to engage with a corresponding series of male / female connectors (27) included in the second part (22).

[0018] On the one hand, the first part (21) and the second part (22) each have additional fastening means (28) at their ends (29).

[0019] On the one hand, the potting system (1) further includes a fixing device (30) adapted to engage with the clamp (20) and apply a downward force to the integral compressible seal (4) of the potting unit 2. Preferably, the fixing device (30) engages with the fastening means (28) at the end (29) of the first part (21) or the second part (22).

[0020] On the one hand, the body (3) tapers from the distal end (5) towards the proximal end (7).

[0021] On the one hand, the proximal end (7) is adapted to engage with a manifold (50) of a fluid handling system.

[0022] On the one hand, a fluid handling system is provided, the fluid handling system including the encapsulation system (1) described above.

[0023] On the one hand, a membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR), a membrane supported biofilm reactor (MSBR), a membrane bioreactor (MBR), a membrane contactor, or a membrane filtration unit is provided, the membrane aerated biofilm reactor, the membrane supported biofilm reactor, the membrane bioreactor, the membrane contactor, or the membrane filtration unit including the encapsulation system (1) described above.

[0024] On the one hand, the encapsulation system further includes a clamp, the clamp including a first part and a second part, the first part being adapted to engage with the body of the encapsulation unit, and the second part being adapted to engage with the integral compression seal of the encapsulation unit.

[0025] On the one hand, the construction material of the clamp is suitably a durable and rigid material (such as, for example, polypropylene, polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate copolymer (PETG), and amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), etc.).

[0026] One of the advantages of the present invention is that the integral seal in the encapsulation unit is a mechanical seal made of a material that resists chemical erosion and thus extends the life of the fiber membrane bundle in systems such as MABR and MSBR or other submerged membrane modules. Another advantage is that the separate encapsulation form for fixing individual fiber membrane bundles to the manifold of such a system allows the user to remove any membrane bundle (whether the membrane bundle is non-functional or a membrane bundle in need of repair or maintenance) without affecting other membrane bundles connected to the manifold within the same system, or without the need to remove adhesives with solvents or damage the manifold by cutting or drilling. Another advantage of the present invention is that it reduces the amount of chemicals required in the manufacturing process. The reduction in the amount of chemicals used in manufacturing not only reduces costs and complexity, but also reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing and the health and safety risks to personnel.

[0027] Definition

[0028] In this specification, the term "Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR)" should be understood to mean a Membrane Supported Biofilm Reactor (MSBR) for treating wastewater liquid to remove carbonaceous pollutants, nitrify / denitrify pollutants, and / or biodegrade xenobiotics in the wastewater components. Soluble organic compounds in the liquid are supplied to the biofilm from the biofilm-liquid interface, while the gas supply to the biofilm comes from the biofilm-membrane interface (diffusing through the membrane). Generally, a biofilm composed of a heterogeneous population of bacteria (usually including nitrifying, denitrifying, and heterotrophic bacteria) grows on the fluid phase side of the membrane. The MABR can achieve bubble-free aeration and high oxygen utilization efficiency (up to 100%), and the biofilm can be separated into aerobic / anoxic / anaerobic zones to simultaneously achieve the removal of carbonaceous organic pollutants, as well as nitrification and denitrification, in a single biofilm. European Patent No. 2 361 367 (University College Dublin) describes an example of a type of MABR that includes a lumen containing a gas phase, a liquid phase, and a gas-permeable membrane providing an interface between the gas phase and the liquid phase.

[0029] In this specification, the term "membrane bundle" should be understood to mean a collection of from 10 to 100,000, from 10 to 10,000, from 10 to 1,000, or from 10 to 100 gas-permeable hollow membrane fibers that are potted at either end into a circular bundle or a shaped element such that the ends of the fibers are open. The membranes can be arranged vertically in the MABR, in which case the resulting liquid flow will be parallel to the membranes, or the membranes can be arranged horizontally in the MABR, thereby creating a cross-flow configuration.

[0030] In this specification, the term "potting unit" should be understood to mean a unit that can be used to hold each membrane together to form a membrane bundle, which can then be connected to a manifold or header of a fluid treatment system or a membrane module. The potting unit is typically a continuous single piece made of the same material as the material used for the potting agent.

[0031] In this specification, the term "potting agent" should be understood to mean any polymer suitable for fixing the fiber membranes in the potting unit. The potting unit can also be composed of the potting agent. Suitable polymers are elastomers.

[0032] In this specification, the term "elastomer" shall be understood to mean a polymer having viscoelastic properties (polymers exhibiting rubber-like elasticity) and having a relatively high failure strain compared to other non-elastomeric materials. Examples of elastomeric polymers include polysiloxanes (e.g., silicones, silicone rubbers, silicone resins, silicone foams, or silicone caulks, and variants thereof), polyurethanes, and rubbers (natural rubber or synthetic rubbers such as nitrile rubber, isoprene, and fluoroelastomers). Elastomers generally have superior sealing properties, are stable over a wide temperature range, durable, and corrosion resistant.

[0033] In this specification, the term "fastening device" shall be understood to mean a device that brings two or more objects together or secures them to each other. Generally, fastening devices create non-permanent joints. Examples include cam locks, male / female fasteners, snap fasteners, threaded fasteners, snap-fit joints, etc.

[0034] In this specification, the term "(a) snap" shall be understood to mean a mechanical joint system (in accordance with industry standards ("The First Snap-Fit Handbook", 1st Edition, (P. Bonenberger) (2000))) where the attachment of part to part is accomplished through locating and locking features (constraint features) that are homogeneous with one or the other of the joined components. The joining requires (flexible) locking features to move aside in order to engage with the mating part and then the locking features return to their original position to complete the intervention required to latch the components together. The locator features (a second type of constraint feature) are non-flexible, thus providing strength and stability in the attachment. Enhancement features complete the snap-fit system, thus adding robustness and user-friendliness to the attachment. The most common forms of snaps are the ring snap (circular connector), the cantilever snap (hook and groove), and the twist snap (latch attached to a torsion bar or shaft). Snap-fit is commonly used as an assembly method for injection molded parts. The snaps are molded into the product, so no additional parts are required to join these snaps together. Additionally, if designed correctly, these snaps can be disassembled and reassembled multiple times without any problems. Snap-fit can be designed as a permanent snap or a multiple snap. Permanent fits are used in disposable parts that will never be disassembled. Multiple snaps are used in most designs where disassembly for repair is desired.

[0035] In this specification, the term "distal end" in relation to the potting unit refers to the forming element or forming connector and is to be understood to mean the element that imparts a specific shape to the membrane bundle (e.g., chevron, cross, linear, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, other polygon, or circular cross-section, etc.). This provides a connector end that can be fixed in an airtight manner to the upper manifold or lower manifold (or header), and they are then referred to as potted membranes.

[0036] In this specification, the terms "upper manifold" and "lower manifold" are to be understood to mean gas manifolds (headers) that are equipped with ports designed to receive a potting unit containing a hollow fiber membrane bundle. Additionally, multiple potting units can be directly potted into the upper gas manifold and the lower gas manifold to form a continuous membrane bundle extending from one end of the manifold to the other. When vertically oriented, the top manifold is referred to as the upper manifold, and the bottom manifold is referred to as the lower manifold. The upper manifold and the lower manifold are in fluid communication with the internal structure of all the hollow fibers such that air / gas can flow from the interior of the upper manifold through the hollow fibers to the lower manifold, or vice versa.

[0037] In this specification, the term "membrane assembly" or "membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR)" is to be understood to mean a device into which multiple (2 - 1,000, 2 - 900, 2 - 800, 2 - 750, 2 - 700, 2 - 650, 2 - 600, 2 - 550, 2 - 500, 2 - 450, 2 - 400, 2 - 350, 2 - 300, 2 - 250, 2 - 200, 2 - 150, 2 - 100, 2 - 50) cartridges composed of hollow fiber membranes can be fixedly mounted in parallel. The cartridges are typically fixed in a frame.

[0038] In this specification, the term "fluid" is to be understood to mean a liquid or a gas, where the liquid can be in any such form as, for example, water or wastewater, and the water or wastewater is to be understood to mean any water whose quality is adversely affected by human influence. Wastewater can come from domestic (e.g., sewage), industrial, commercial, or agricultural activities, surface runoff or stormwater, and a combination of sewer inflows or infiltrations. Description of the Drawings

[0039] Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which the invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of embodiments of the invention given by way of example only:

[0040] Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of the potted unit of the claimed invention is shown.

[0041] Figure 2 A shows the first part of a two-piece clamp of the claimed invention, and Figure 2B shows the second part of a two-piece fixture, where the fixture is configured to engage with Figure 1 's potting unit and secure the potting unit to a header or manifold.

[0042] Figure 3 shows an end part that is adapted to engage with Figure 2 A and Figure 2 the fixture shown in B.

[0043] Figure 4 shows Figure 1 's potting unit engaging with Figure 2 a, Figure 2 b and Figure 3 's two-piece fixture and forming the claimed invention's potting system, where the potting system is attached to the header of a processing tank. Detailed Description

[0044] The present invention described herein provides a potting system for manufacturing fluid processing systems such as MABR or MSBR, membrane bioreactors (MBRs, which are used for wastewater treatment), membrane contactors for gas delivery or gas removal (commonly found in the beverage or chemical industries), and membrane filtration units (which can be used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, or food service industries). The system includes a potting unit and, optionally, a fixture. The potting unit is typically a single piece made of a potting agent, and the same potting agent is used to secure a hollow fiber membrane bundle to the potting unit. The potting unit also includes an integral compressible seal that resists the ingress of chemicals or other reagents that may be present in the liquid being processed and also provides a mechanical seal within the processing system to ensure that the liquids on either side of the membrane do not mix.

[0045] Turning now to the drawings, where Figure 1 a general embodiment of the potting system of the present invention is shown. Specifically, Figure 1 a perspective view of the potting unit of the potting system of the present invention (with the hollow fiber membrane in place) is shown and is generally designated by reference numeral 1. The potting system 1 includes a potting unit 2 having a body 3 that has an integral compressible seal 4. The body 3 includes a distal end 5, an intermediate section 6, a base 9, and a proximal end 7. The integral compressible seal 4 is continuous with the intermediate section 6 of the potting unit 2 and is positioned towards or at the base 9 of the potting unit 2.

[0046] The distal end 5 is adapted to receive a bundle of hollow fiber membranes 10 potted into the potting unit 2 using a potting compound. The potting unit 2 is typically a continuous piece made of the same potting compound, which is used to fix the hollow fiber membranes 10 in the distal end 5 of the potting unit 2. The potting compound also forms the shape of the integral compressible seal 4. The distal end 5 around the hollow fiber membranes 10 can act as a connector (formed connector) that can be shaped in a specific way, which spaces the hollow fiber membranes 10 apart so that the connector forms a unique shape or pattern (such as the shape or pattern described in EP 3297749). Alternatively, the distal end 5 can be generally cylindrical.

[0047] In addition, the integral compressible seal 4 can also be manufactured into any desired shape (such as circular, chevron, cross-shaped, linear, square, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, other polygonal or circular cross-sectional shapes, oval, triangular star, four-pointed star, five-pointed star, etc.).

[0048] The proximal end 7 typically has a connector 8 configured to engage with the header 50 of the manifold (see Figure 4 ).

[0049] Figure 2 A shows the first part 21 of the two-piece mechanical clamp 20, while Figure 2 B shows the second part 22 of the two-piece mechanical clamp 20. The clamp 20 is adapted to surround the integral compressible seal 4 when the potting unit 2 engages with the header 50 of the manifold (see Figure 4 ). The first part 21 includes a series of spaced-apart hollow bodies 24 adapted to receive the integral compressible seal 4 of the potting unit 2 and a series of male / female connectors 26 adapted to engage with a corresponding series of male / female connectors 27 of the second part 22. The second part 22 also includes a corresponding series of spaced-apart hollow bodies 25 adapted to receive the intermediate section 6 of the body 3. The clamp 20 (in use) can be used with any fastening device and is configured to maintain a downward force on the integral compressible seal 4 of the potting unit 2. The male / female connectors 26, 27 are typically snap-fit connectors; however, other well-known and equally applicable male / female fastening devices (such as nut and bolt arrangements, zip tie arrangements, couplings, hooks, latches, locks, lugs, rivets, and screws) can also be used. The first part 21 and the second part 22 each have an additional fastening device 28 at their ends 29 adapted to engage with a fixing device 30 (see Figure 3 ). The fixing device 30 is adapted to lock the two-piece clamp 20 in place and maintain a downward force on the integral compressible seal 4 of the potting unit 2. The clamp 20 can provide an additional downward force at the end of the cassette of the component reactor and ensure a uniform downward force along the length of the clamp 20.

[0050] Figure 4 : An image of the potting system 1 attached to the manifold 50 of the component reactor during use. During use, the inside of the hollow fiber membrane 10 is in fluid communication with the central channel 52 of the manifold 50. The manifold 50 is used to transport the fluid inside the hollow fiber membrane 10 to the hollow fiber membrane 10 or to transport fluid from these membranes. The processing component will include an upper manifold and a lower manifold 50. The upper manifold and the lower manifold 50 are connected by a manifold or a piping system. The manifold 50 keeps the two fluids in the component reactor separated.

[0051] The membranes used in MABR are in most cases dense membranes. These membranes do not have pores, but rather allow gas molecules to diffuse through the polymer lattice between these membranes. The most common materials used are polydimethylsiloxane (silicone) or polymethylpentane. Silicone is often used in non-stick applications due to its low surface energy, and at the same time is used in seals and gaskets due to its elasticity and compressibility. These seals and gaskets can be stretched around nozzles or pipe joints and compressed between two surfaces.

[0052] Silicone is not easily combined with other materials due to its properties, and therefore, silicone is often used as a potting agent for silicone membranes because silicone will adhere to itself and it can be chemically bonded to each membrane. Most other potting agents are non-compressible once cured and are therefore not suitable for forming the mechanical seals specified by the claimed invention. By forming a potting silicone around the membrane in such a way as to have an integral seal, the potted membrane can then be attached to the manifold using mechanical clamps. By forming the potting in this shape, the potting material can have a compression seal and thus avoid the need to bond the potted membrane to the manifold to ensure complete separation of the fluids on both sides of the membrane. The compression force used for the mechanical seal should be sufficient to keep the potted membrane in place, but not too large so as not to damage the potting silicone and cause tearing of the potting silicone. The elastomer used for potting the membrane should have a similar bond length and use the same catalytic crosslinking procedure as the catalytic crosslinking process used to form the hollow fiber membrane to ensure chemical compatibility. The elastomer used to form the potting should also have the same shore hardness as the polymer used to produce the membrane.

[0053] In this specification, the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms "include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be fully interchangeable and all of them should be given as broad an interpretation as possible and vice versa.

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but may vary in both structure and detail.

Claims

1. A potting system, the potting system comprising a potting unit (2) and a fixture (20), the potting unit (2) having a body (3) including a distal end (5), an intermediate section (6), and a proximal end (7), wherein, The distal end (5) is adapted to receive a hollow fiber membrane (10), and the proximal end (7) is adapted to engage with a manifold (50) of a fluid processing system, and wherein the body (3) further includes an integral compressible seal (4) positioned at a base (9) of the body (3), continuous with and perpendicular to the body (3), and the integral compressible seal (4) is made of the same material as the material of the potting unit (2), wherein the material is an elastomer; wherein the clamp (20) includes a first part (21) and a second part (22), the first part and the second part being configured to engage with the integral compressible seal (4) of the potting unit (2) and maintain a downward force on the integral compressible seal; and wherein the first part (21) includes a series of spaced-apart hollow bodies adapted to receive the integral compressible seal (4) of the potting unit (2), and wherein the second part (22) includes a corresponding series of spaced-apart hollow bodies adapted to receive and engage with the intermediate section (6) of the body (3).

2. The potting system according to claim 1, wherein, The elastomer is selected from polysiloxane, polyurethane, natural rubber, nitrile rubber, polyisoprene, and fluorinated elastomer.

3. The potting system according to claim 2, wherein, The elastomer is polysiloxane, and the polysiloxane is selected from silicone rubber, silicone resin, or silicone foam.

4. The potting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The hollow fiber membrane (10) is potted in the distal end (5) with a potting agent that is the same material as the material of the potting unit (2).

5. The potting system according to claim 4, wherein, The distal end (5) has a shape of circular, oval, chevron, cross, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, or other polygonal cross-sectional shape.

6. The potting system according to claim 4, wherein, The distal end (5) has a shape of triangular star, quadrangular star, or pentagonal star.

7. The potting system according to claim 1, wherein, The potting unit (2) is a single piece.

8. The potting system according to claim 1, wherein, The first part (21) includes a series of male / female connectors adapted to engage with a corresponding series of male / female connectors included in the second part (22).

9. The potting system according to claim 1, wherein, The first part (21) and the second part (22) each have additional fastening means (28) at their ends (29).

10. The potting system according to claim 1, further comprising a fixing device (30), the fixing device being adapted to engage with the fixture (20) and exert a downward force on the integral compressible seal (4) of the potting unit (2).

11. The potting system according to claim 1, wherein, The body (3) tapers from the distal end (5) towards the proximal end (7).

12. The potting system according to claim 10, wherein, The fixing means (30) engages with the fastening means (28) at the end (29) of the first part (21) or the second part (22).

13. The potting system according to claim 1, wherein, The clamp (20) includes a first part and a second part, the first part being adapted to engage with the body of the potting unit, and the second part being adapted to engage with the integral compressible seal of the potting unit.

14. The potting system according to claim 13, wherein, The material of the clamp includes a durable and rigid material.

15. The potting system according to claim 14, wherein, The material of the clamp is selected from polypropylene, polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate copolymer, and amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET).

16. A fluid handling system, the fluid handling system comprising the potting system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR), the membrane aerated biofilm reactor comprising the potting system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A membrane supported biofilm reactor, the membrane supported biofilm reactor comprising the potting system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

19. A membrane bioreactor (MBR), the membrane bioreactor comprising the potting system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

20. A membrane contactor, the membrane contactor comprising the potting system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

21. A membrane filtration unit, the membrane filtration unit comprising the potting system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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