Pressurized forward osmosis membrane plates, modules, and systems having obliquely angled membrane areas

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to membrane spacer plates having a plate body with membrane bonding areas that extend along the plate body at an angle of incline (in-plane with the plate body) that is at least 4 degrees with respect to a lower boundary of the plate body. The membrane spacer plates includes inlet and outlet manifolds that are generally triangular in shape to correspond the angled membrane bonding surfaces. Embodiments of the invention also relate to membrane plate assemblies, membrane elements, membrane modules, systems, and methods of separating solvents using the membrane spacer plates.

Description

PRESSURIZED FORWARD OSMOSIS MEMBRANE PLATES, MODULES, AND SYSTEMS HAVING OBLIQUELY ANGLED MEMBRANE AREASCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 606,213, filed on 5 December 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.STATEMENT REGARDING SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] This invention was made with State of California support under California Energy Commission grant number EPC-18-022. The Energy Commission has certain rights to this invention.BACKGROUND

[0003] Osmotically driven membrane systems are used to treat solutions with suspended solids, dissolved solids, other solutes that are or are not desired in a final product. The feed solution is introduced into a feed side of an osmosis element and the draw solution is introduced into a draw side of an osmosis element, where the feed and draw channels are separated by the osmosis membrane. Components of the feed solution are drawn to the draw side via osmotic pressure and removed in the draw solution. Osmotically driven membrane systems can suffer from fouling, clogging, and inefficiencies.SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the invention relate to membrane spacer plates having angled membrane bonding areas, membrane plate assemblies including the spacer plates, osmosis membrane elements and osmosis modules having the membrane plate assemblies, and methods of separating solvents from a feed fluid using any of the foregoing.

[0005] In an embodiment, a membrane spacer plate is disclosed. The membrane spacer plate includes a plate body having an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary. The plate body of the membrane spacer plate includes a first side having a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary, and a first plate bonding area. The plate body of the membrane spacer plate includes a second side opposite the first side, the second side including, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membranebonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area, and a second plate bonding area.

[0006] In an embodiment, a membrane plate assembly is disclosed. The membrane plate assembly includes a membrane spacer plate having a plate body including an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary. The plate body includes a first side having a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary; and a first plate bonding area. The plate body includes a second side opposite the first side, the second side including a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second plate bonding area. The membrane plate assembly includes a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area. The membrane plate assembly includes a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area.

[0007] In an embodiment, an osmosis membrane element is disclosed. The osmosis membrane element includes a plurality of membrane plate assemblies arranged in a stack. The plurality of membrane plate assemblies include a membrane spacer plate having a plate body including an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary. The plate body of the membrane plate assemblies has a first side including a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary, and a first plate bonding area. The plate body of the membrane plate assemblies has a second side opposite the first side, the second side including a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second plate bonding area. The membrane plate assemblies include a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area and a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area. The membrane plate assemblies in the stack are arranged in an alternating orientation with each membrane plate assembly being rotated 180 degrees with respect to immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies. The osmosis membrane element includes a foot plate disposed below a bottom most membrane plate assembly. The osmosis membrane element includes a head plate disposed on top of an uppermost membrane plate assembly.

[0008] In an embodiment, a forward osmosis module is disclosed. The forward osmosis module includes at least one set of osmosis membrane elements arranged in a stack, each of the osmosis membrane elements including a plurality of membrane plate assemblies arranged in a stack. The plurality of membrane plate assemblies include a membrane spacer plate having a plate body having an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary. The plate body of the membrane plate assemblies have a first side including a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary, and a first plate bonding area. The plate body of the membrane plate assemblies have a second side opposite the first side, the second side including a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area, and a second plate bonding area. The membrane plate assemblies of the forward osmosis module include a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area and a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area. The plurality of membrane plate assemblies in the stack are arranged in an alternating orientation with each membrane plate assembly being rotated 180 degrees, in plane, with respect to immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies. The osmosis membrane elements of the forward osmosis module include a foot plate disposed below a bottommost membrane plate assembly and ahead plate disposed on top of an uppermost membrane plate assembly. The forward osmosis module includes a first endplate at a first end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements and a second endplate at a second end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements. The forw ard osmosis module includes one or more tension members connected to the first endplate and the second endplate.

[0009] In an embodiment, a system for osmotic separation is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of forward osmosis modules plumbed together in parallel. The plurality of forw ard osmosis modules include a plurality of membrane plate assemblies, a feed inlet, a feed outlet, a draw inlet, and a draw outlet. The plurality of membrane plate assemblies include a membrane spacer plate having a plate body having an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary. The plate body of the membrane plate assemblies have a first side including a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary, and a first plate bonding area. The plate body of the membrane plate assemblies have a second side opposite the first side, the second side including a secondmembrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area, and a second plate bonding area. The membrane plate assemblies of the forward osmosis module include a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area and a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area. The plurality of membrane plate assemblies in the stack are arranged in an alternating orientation with each membrane plate assembly being rotated 180 degrees, in plane, with respect to immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies. The system includes a feed solution supply line operably coupled to the feed inlet, a draw solution supply line operably coupled to the draw inlet, a feed solution outlet line operably coupled to the feed outlet, and a draw solution outlet line operably coupled to the draw outlet.

[0010] In an embodiment, a method of removing solvent from a feed solution is disclosed. The method includes circulating a feed solution through a feed side of at least one forward osmosis module, the at least one forward osmosis module including a plurality of membrane plate assemblies arranged in a stack. The plurality of membrane plate assemblies include a membrane spacer plate having a plate body including an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary. The plate body of the membrane plate assemblies include a first side having a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary, and a first plate bonding area. The plate body of the membrane plate assemblies include a second side opposite the first side, the second side having a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area, and a second plate bonding area. The plurality of membrane plate assemblies include a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area and a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area. The plurality of membrane plate assemblies in the stack are arranged in an alternating orientation with each membrane plate assembly being rotated 180 degrees, in plane, with respect to immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies. The membrane includes circulating a draw solution through a draw side of the forward osmosis module effective to remove one or more solutes from the feed solution to produce a concentrated feed solution and a diluted draw solution.

[0011] In an embodiment, a membrane spacer plate is disclosed. The membrane spacer plate includes a plate body having an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary. The plate body of the membrane spacer plate includes a firstside having a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline oblique with respect to the lower boundary, a first plate bonding area. The plate body of the membrane spacer plate includes a second side opposite the first side, the second side including a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area, and a second plate bonding area.

[0012] In an embodiment, a membrane spacer plate is disclosed. The membrane spacer plate includes a plate body having a substantially planar configuration and an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary. The plate body includes a first side having a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline oblique with respect to the lower boundary. The first side includes a first plate bonding area, a first draw inlet manifold having a triangular shape, a first draw outlet manifold having a triangular shape, a first feed inlet manifold having a triangular shape, and a first feed outlet manifold having a triangular shape. The plate body includes a second side opposite the first side, the second side including a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area. The second side includes a second plate bonding area, a second draw inlet manifold having a triangular shape, a second draw outlet manifold having a triangular shape, a second feed inlet manifold having a triangular shape, and a second feed outlet manifold having a triangular shape.

[0013] Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar elements or features in different views or embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a membrane spacer plate, according to an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 2A is a top view of a first side of the membrane spacer plate, according to an embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 2B is a close-up isometric view of the area A of FIG. 2A, according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 3A is a top view of the second side of the spacer plate after rotating the spacer plate by 180 degrees about the lower boundary from the front side, according to an embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 3B is a close-up isometric view of the area B of FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a top view of two spacer plates and stacked, according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a membrane plate assembly, according to an embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of a osmosis membrane element, according to an embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 7A is an isometric view of the foot side of the osmosis membrane element, according to an embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 7B is an isometric view of the head side of the osmosis membrane element, according to an embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the osmosis membrane element of FIG. 7B, according to an embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 7D is a close-up cross-sectional view of the osmosis membrane element of FIG. 7B, according to an embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 8A is an isometric view of an osmosis module, according to an embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 8B is a front view of the osmosis module taken along the longitudinal axis L of FIG. 8A, according to an embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 9A is a schematic of flow paths through a membrane plate assembly, according to an embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 9B is an exploded schematic of an osmosis membrane element, according to an embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 9C is a schematic of fluid flow through an osmosis module, according to an embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 10 is in isometric view of a system for osmotic separation, according to an embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method for removing solvent from a feed solution, according to an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Embodiments of the invention relate to membrane spacer plates having a plate body with membrane bonding areas that extend along the plate body at an angle of incline (inplane with the plate body) that is at least 4 degrees with respect to a lower boundary of the plate body. The membrane spacer plates includes inlet and outlet manifolds that are generally triangular in shape to correspond the angled membrane bonding surfaces. The triangular manifolds maintain relatively consistent fluid velocity across the entire width of the manifolds and consistent pressure differential across the flow path on the membrane spacer plates. The maintained relatively consistent fluid velocity in the triangular manifold ensures all areas of the manifold can be sufficiently swept and cleaned. The triangular manifolds are sufficiently large compared to the membrane gap (e.g., space between the membranes on each side of the spacer plate) defining the flow path and membrane work area so that the impedance of the flow path is much higher than the impedance of the manifold, assuring uniform flow distribution across the flow path on the membrane spacer plate. The membrane spacer plates also include membrane bonding surfaces and plate bonding surfaces that include protrusions to prevent adhesive from being compressed off of or out of the bonding surfaces. Embodiments of the invention also relate to membrane plate assemblies, membrane elements, membrane modules, systems, and methods of separating solvents using the membrane spacer plates.

[0035] The spacer plates, angled bonding areas, and triangular manifolds allow membrane plate assemblies, osmosis membrane elements, and osmosis modules utilizing the spacer plates to be fluidly connected and operated in parallel. By utilizing the parallel flow configurations disclosed herein, the osmosis membrane elements and osmosis modules utilizing the spacer plates disclosed herein have less head loss than comparable senes configurations. Flow rates and fluid velocities through the osmosis membrane elements and osmosis modules utilizing the spacer plates may be increased compared to a series configuration. Additionally, the osmosis membrane elements and osmosis modules utilizing the spacer plates can be drained due to the relatively low location of the feed inlet and draw inlets therein. The membrane spacer plates 100 disclosed herein provide additional advantages over current membrane spacer plates as described in detail below.

[0036] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a membrane spacer plate 100, according to an embodiment. The spacer plate 100 is used for osmotic separation of solutes from a feed solution. The spacer plate 100 includes a plate body 101 having a first side 102 and a second side 104. The first side 102 may be bonded to the second side 104 using complementary bonding features on the respective sides. The membrane spacer plates 100 are configured to berotated 180 degrees (in plane) with respect to immediately adjacent membrane spacer plates 100 to align the respective bonding features. Accordingly, a plurality of membrane spacer plates 100 may be stacked between a head plate and a foot plate to form an osmosis membrane element. A plurality of osmosis membrane elements may be further stacked to form an osmosis module.

[0037] As explained in more detail below, the spacer plate 100 includes a membrane bonding area and membrane working area that is tilted at an angle with respect to the outer boundaries of the spacer plate 100. The tilt allows all the fluid(s) to drain from the membrane working area and the osmosis membrane element or osmosis module when not in use.

[0038] The membrane spacer plate 100 includes input and output manifolds for feed fluid and draw fluid streams. The manifolds may have a generally triangular shape to fit between the tilted membrane bonding area and the outer boundary (e.g., generally rectangular) of the plate body 101. The triangular shape of the manifolds allow the manifolds to receive fluid from a relatively large (e.g., two inch) input port, build and maintain fluid pressure (e.g., hydrostatic) along and entire length of the manifold, and flow the feed fluid through the membrane work area at the selected pressure and fluid flow rate and velocity. The membrane-to-membrane gap spacing on a spacer plate assembly may be relatively small (e.g., about 0.020 inch or about 0.5 mm) with respect to the size of triangular manifold and input port, assuring the impedance of the membrane flow path is considerably larger than the impedance of the manifold and the impedance of the input port.

[0039] The surface features on the membrane spacer plate 100 allows draw fluid into the draw inlet manifold to build pressure thereacross at a relatively constant and selected level and to maintain the pressure across the entire membrane work area. The manifold is connected to the membrane work area by one or more structural features of the membrane spacer plate 100. Likewise, the feed inlet manifold does the same on the feed side of the membrane spacer plate 100.

[0040] After osmosis membranes are bound to the membrane bonding areas on the spacer plate 100 to form a membrane plate assembly, the membrane plate assembly may be used to remove solvent(s) from the feed solution into the draw fluid through the membranes via forward osmosis.

[0041] Generally, forward osmosis utilizes the difference in osmotic pressures between a draw fluid and a feed fluid to remove one or more solvents from the feed fluid. The draw and feed fluid streams are separated by the osmosis membrane and one or more solvents are selectively removed from the feed fluid through the osmosis membrane via osmotic pressureexerted thereon by the draw fluid. For example, a saltwater feed fluid may be concentrated by using a draw fluid with a higher dissolved solute (e.g., salt, alcohol, sugar) concentration than the saltwater feed fluid to remove water therefrom via the higher osmotic pressure in the draw fluid.

[0042] The surface features on the membrane spacer plate 100 provide a number of advantages for use in osmosis operations.

[0043] FIG. 2A is a top view of a first side of the membrane spacer plate 100, according to an embodiment. The membrane spacer plate 100 includes a plate body 101 having a first side 102 that includes a first plate bonding area 112, a first membrane bonding area 122, a first membrane working area, 120, a first draw inlet manifold 132, a first draw outlet manifold 136, a first feed inlet manifold 142, and a first feed outlet manifold 146. The plate body 101 may be substantially planar (e.g., flat plate body with raised and recessed features). The plate body 101 may be formed from a polymer, metal, or ceramic. For example, the plate body 101 may be formed from an injection moldable polymer, such as poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polystyrene (PS), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), any other injection moldable polymer, or combinations of any of the foregoing. By utilizing an injection moldable polymer, the plate body 101 may be formed in a single step in an injection mold. In some examples, the plate body 101 may be machined, stamped, die pressed, or otherwise formed from a metal or ceramic material, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or the like.

[0044] The spacer plate 100 includes an outer edge 105 separating the first side 102 from the second side 104. The outer edge 105 defines the outer boundaries or perimeter of the spacer plate 100. For example, the outer edge includes alower boundary 106, an upper boundary 108, and lateral boundaries 107 and 109 (e.g., left and right sides). The outer edge 105 may have a height of at least 1 mm, such as 1 mm to 5 mm. The outer edge 105 may have multiple thicknesses, such as being thinner at the comers than in central portions of the outer boundaries.

[0045] Although other shapes are considered, the spacer plate 100 may be substantially rectangular (e.g., square, parallelogram, or the like) with one or more contours formed on the outer boundaries thereof. One or more of the outer boundaries may be substantially flat. For example, the outer edge 105 may include a substantially flat (e.g., linear) upper boundary 108 and a substantially flat lower boundary 106. The outer lateral boundaries 107 and 109 of the spacer plate 100 may be substantially flat with one or more detents or contours formed therein. For example, the greatest lateral dimension of the lateral boundaries 107 and 109 may be at thecomers of the outer edge 105. In such examples, the greatest outer dimension may be at the comers. Accordingly, any detents or contours therebetween may not change alignment of the spacer plates 100 with respect to each other. The outer boundaries of the plate body 101 are sized and shaped to allow the spacer plates 100 to be stacked on each other and have features on the surfaces thereof align when a spacer plate is rotated 180 degrees in plane with respect to an adjacent spacer plate.

[0046] The first side 102 includes a plurality of raised and recessed surfaces to form one or more features of the spacer plate 100. For example, the first side 102 includes a first plate bonding area 112, a first membrane bonding area 122, a first membrane working area 120, the first draw inlet manifold 132, the first draw outlet manifold 136, the first feed inlet manifold 142, and the first feed outlet manifold 146.

[0047] The first plate bonding area 112 includes one or more surfaces sized, shaped, and located to bond to a complementary (second) plate bonding area on an adjacent spacer plate stacked thereon. One or more portions of the first plate bonding area 112 may be at or spaced inwardly from the outer edge 105. For example, the first plate bonding area may include one or more portions on or near the perimeter of the first side 102. The first plate bonding area 112 may be disposed around and enclose all or nearly all of the first side 102 to prevent fluid from leaking therefrom. One or more portions of the first plate bonding area 112 may be disposed between the first draw inlet manifold 132 and the first membrane bonding area 122 as well as between the first draw outlet manifold 136 and the first membrane bonding area 122. Upon bonding to corresponding second plate bonding area of an adjacent spacer plate, the first plate bonding area may form a portion of a fluid tight seal around the first membrane bonding area 122, the first membrane working area 120, the first draw inlet manifold 132, the first draw outlet manifold 136, the first feed inlet manifold 142, and the first feed outlet manifold 146, to prevent fluid(s) from leaking therefrom and to at least partially define a draw fluid flow path and a feed fluid flow path.

[0048] The first side 102 may be configured as a female side of the spacer plate 100. In such examples, the first plate bonding area 112 has a female configuration such as a groove for a tongue and groove interface (e.g., joint) between adjacent spacer plates. FIG. 2B is a closeup isometric view of the area A of FIG. 2A, according to an embodiment. As shown, the plate bonding area 112 may include a groove configuration. The groove configuration may include an outer wall 114, an inner wall 118, and a groove 116 therebetween. The inner wall 118 and the outer wall 114 may extend at least 0.5 mm above a minimum thickness (e.g., lowest surfaceon the first side) of the spacer plate 100, such as 0.5 mm to 5 mm, 1 mm to 3 mm, or less than 5 mm above the minimum thickness of the spacer plate 100.

[0049] The groove 116 is defined, at least in part, by a lowermost surface between the inner wall 118 and the outer wall 114. The groove 116 may be the minimum thickness of the spacer plate 100. The groove 116 may be at least 0.2 mm below the upper surfaces of the inner wall 118 and the outer wall 114, such as 0.2 mm to 10 mm, or 0.5 mm to 5 mm below the upper surfaces of the inner wall 118 and the outer wall 114. In some examples, the groove 116 may exhibit more than one depth, such as having a different depth between the draw outlet manifold 136 and the membrane bonding area 122 than at the perimeter of the first side 102. For example, the groove may be shallower between the draw outlet manifold 136 and the membrane bonding area 122 than at the perimeter of the first side 102. The width of the groove 116 may be at least 2 mm, such as 2 mm to 20 mm, 3 mm to 6 mm, 4 mm to 10 mm, or less than 10 mm.

[0050] The groove 116 may include one or more plate bonding spacers 117 extending therefrom. The plate bonding spacers 117 extend vertically upward from the groove 116 a distance of at least 0.025 mm, such as 0.025 mm to 1.5 mm, or less than 1.5 mm. The plate bonding spacers 117 may have an upper surface that is flat or substantially planar. The size of the upper surface of the plate bonding spacers 117 may be relatively small so as not to completely occlude flow of adhesive across the groove (e.g., less than the width of the groove 116). The plate bonding spacers 117 allow a complementary plate bonding area (e.g., tongue) of an adjacent spacer plate to be disposed within the groove (e.g., between the inner wall 118 and outer wall 114) without touching the groove 116. Accordingly, the plate bonding spacers 117 prevent adhesive from being compressed out of the groove 116 during bonding of adj acent spacer plates 100.

[0051] Returning to FIG. 2 A, the first membrane bonding area 122 is spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body 101. For example, the first membrane bonding area 122 is disposed inside of the innermost portions of the first plate bonding area 112. The first membrane bonding area 122 at least partially defines a first membrane working area 120 disposed therein. The first membrane bonding area 122 may be vertically spaced from the first membrane working area 120. For example, the first membrane bonding area 122 includes a membrane bonding surface 123 raised above one or more surrounding surfaces, such as by at least 0.2 mm, or 0.2 mm to 2 mm. The height of the membrane bonding area 122 above the first membrane working area 120 at least partially defines the membrane gap between the membranes attached to the first and second sides of the spacer plate 100. The membrane bonding surface 123 may be at least 5 mm wide, such as 5 mm to 2.5 cm, 0.7 cm to 1.5 cm, orless than 2.5 cm wide. The membrane bonding surface 123 may be in the shape of a rectangle, such as the rectangle shown, or in any other suitable shape (e.g., circle, polygon, ovoid, or the like). By utilizing a rectangular shape, the membrane working area is maximized for a rectangular membrane element.

[0052] The first membrane bonding area 122 and first membrane bonding surface 123 are disposed on the first side at a first angle of incline al, in plane, that is oblique to the lower boundary 106 along the first feed inlet manifold 142. For example, the first membrane bonding area 122 may have at least a two degree angle of incline al with respect to the lower boundary 106, such as 2 degrees to 20 degrees, 2 degrees to 11 degrees, 4 degrees to 7 degrees, 7 degrees to 11 degrees, more than 2 degrees, or less than 11 degrees. The angle of incline al may be at least 6 degrees. The first angle of incline al may be selected or adjusted to accommodate a certain size of input port (e.g., feed or draw inlet port). For example, a 2.7 degree angle of incline al accommodates a one-inch input port for a membrane sheet with a length along the feed side of 14.25 inches, a 7 degree angle of incline al accommodates a 2-inch port, an 11 degree angle of incline al accommodates a 3-inch port, and a 16 degree angle of incline al accommodates a 4-inch port. The first membrane bonding area 122 and first membrane bonding surface 123 may additionally or alternatively be disposed on the first side at a second angle of incline a2, in plane, that is oblique to the lateral boundary 107 along the draw inlet manifold 132 (and lower boundary 106 along the feed inlet manifold 142). For example, the first membrane bonding area 122 may have at least a three degree second angle of incline a2 with respect to the lateral boundary 107 (or at least 93 degrees with respect to the lower boundary 106), such as 3 degrees to 20 degrees, 3 degrees to 14 degrees, 3 degrees to 9 degrees, more than 3 degrees, less than 19 degrees, or less than 12 degrees. The second angle of incline a2 may be at least 8 degrees. The second angle of incline a2 may be selected or adjusted to accommodate a certain size of input port (e.g., feed or draw inlet port). For example, a 3 degree second angle of incline a2 accommodates a one-inch input port for a membrane sheet with a length along the draw side of 12.7 inches, a 9 degree angle of incline a2 accommodates a 2- inch port, a 14 degree angle of incline a2 accommodates a 3-inch port, an 19 degree angle of incline a2 accommodates a 4-inch port. In examples where the first membrane sheet is rectangular or rhomboidal, the first and second angles of incline al and a2 may differ from each other. In such examples, the first angle of incline al may be smaller than the second angle of incline a2. In some examples, the first and second angles of incline al and may a2 be equal, such as when the membrane sheet is square. By tilting the membrane bonding area 122 above a horizontal orientation with respect to the lower boundary 106, the membrane working areatherein is able to fully drain while the lower boundary of the spacer plate is horizontal or even angled in the opposite direction of the first angle of incline al. Additionally, all of the gas in the membrane working areas can escape when the membrane module containing the spacer plate is being filled with liquid.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first membrane bonding area 122 may include one or more membrane protrusions 124 extending from the membrane bonding surface 123. The membrane protrusions 124 may extend vertically from the first membrane bonding area 122 a distance of at least 0.025 mm, such as between about 0.025 mm and 2 mm, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, or less than 2 mm. The shape of the upper surface of the membrane protrusions 124 may be any suitable shape such as circular, rectangular, polygonal, triangular, ovoid, or the like. The one or more membrane protrusions 124 may exhibit different shapes, such as rectangular and square. The one or more membrane protrusions 124 prevent adhesive from being compressed out of the interface between the membrane bonding area 122 and a membrane disposed thereon. Accordingly, the membrane protrusions 124 provide for more reliable membrane to plate bonds than spacer plates without membrane protrusions 124.

[0054] One or more portions of the first membrane bonding area 122 may be surrounded by a trough 125. The trough 125 may be a depression formed on the first side 102. For example, the trough(s) 125 may be disposed below one or more adjacent surfaces by at least 0.2 mm, 0.2 mm to 2 mm, 0.25 mm to 1 mm, or less than 1.5 mm. The trough 125 may be a gap between the inner wall 118 and the first membrane bonding surface 123. For example, one or more troughs 125 may be disposed between the membrane bonding surface 123 of the first membrane bonding area 122 and the inner wall 118 of the plate bonding area 112 along the draw inlet manifold 132 and the draw outlet manifold 136. The trough(s) 125 provide an area for adhesive to move into when the membrane is compressed against the membrane bonding area 122 to bond thereto. The troughs 125 prevent the adhesive from compressing outward between the plates and preventing or damaging plate-to-plate bonds which lead to delamination and leaking of fluids from membrane elements.

[0055] The first draw inlet manifold 132, the first draw outlet manifold 136, the first feed inlet manifold 142, the first feed outlet manifold 146 are in fluid communication with the first membrane working area 120 bounded by the membrane bonding area 122. For example, the first draw inlet manifold 132 is in fluid communication with the first membrane working area 120 via one or more flow direction surfaces 128 therebetween. During use, the draw solution in the first draw inlet manifold 132 is directed under the first plate bonding area 112 and first membrane bonding area 122 and then up onto the first membrane working area 120 below amembrane therein by one or more flow direction surfaces 128. Similarly, the draw fluid in the first membrane working area 120 below the membrane is directed under the first plate bonding area 112 and first membrane bonding area 122 into the first draw outlet manifold 136 by one or more flow direction surfaces 128. Likewise, feed fluid in the first feed inlet manifold 142 is directed over the membrane to the first feed outlet manifold 146 by one or more flow direction surfaces 128. Such flow direction surfaces 128 may include one or more ramps. For example, one or more portions of the first membrane bonding area 122 may be surrounded by a ramp directing flow thereover, such as at the first feed inlet manifold 142 and first feed outlet manifold 146.

[0056] The surface of the first side 102 in the membrane working area 120 may include one or more ribs 126 extending between the first draw inlet manifold 132 and the first draw outlet manifold 136. The one or more ribs 126 may extend above the surface by 0.2 mm or more such as 0.2 mm to 2 mm, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, or less than 2 mm. The one or more ribs126 may extend across at least 50% of the width of the surface of the membrane working area 120 on the first side 102, such as 50% to 100%, 70% to 90%, or less than 90% of the width. The one or more ribs 126 define flow channels in the first membrane working area 120. The flow channels extend at least part of the distance between the first draw inlet manifold 132 and the first draw outlet manifold 136.

[0057] The surface of the first side 102 in the membrane working area 120 may include one or more protrusions 127 extending therefrom. The one or more protrusions 127 may be disposed across the surface in the first membrane working area 120. The one or more protrusions 127 may extend above the surface by 0.2 mm or more such as 0.2 mm to 2 mm, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, or less than 2 mm. The one or more ribs 126 and one or more protrusions127 may prevent the membrane from touching the surface of the first membrane working area 120 to maintain flow therethrough. The one or more protrusions 127 may also provide mixing in the draw fluid passing through the first membrane working area 120 below the membrane.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2A, the first draw inlet manifold 132, the first draw outlet manifold 136, the first feed inlet manifold 142, and the first feed outlet manifold 146 are disposed within an outermost portion of the first plate bonding area 112. The first draw inlet manifold 132, the first draw outlet manifold 136, the first feed inlet manifold 142, the first feed outlet manifold 142 may each have a substantially triangular or converging shape. The widest portion of the first draw inlet manifold 132 may be disposed on a lower left portion of the first side 102, a widest portion of the first draw outlet manifold 136 may be disposed on an upper right portion of the first side 102, a widest portion of the first feed inlet manifold 142 may bedisposed on a lower right portion of the first side 102, and a widest portion of the first feed outlet manifold 146 may be disposed on an upper left portion of the first side 102. The substantially triangular or converging shape of the manifolds both accommodates the angle of incline of the first membrane bonding area 122 and provides for consistent fluid flow rates and fluid velocities across the width and length of the manifolds and pressures across the membrane working area in fluid communication therewith. For example, head loss is normally produced in a manifold where the width and length of manifold are constant, but by converging the manifold into a tighter volume as the manifold moves from the inlet end to the far end, the pressure, velocity, and flow rate of the fluid at the far end can be maintained even as fluid is moved into the first membrane working area 120 near the inlet end of the manifold. Thus, the manifolds disclosed herein provide for more consistent flow rates, flow velocity, pressures, and flux rates across the osmosis membranes bonded to the spacer plates containing the manifolds.

[0059] The first draw inlet manifold 132 is defined or formed between an outermost portion of the first plate bonding area 112 and innermost portion of the first plate bonding area 112 adjacent thereto. As shown, the first draw inlet manifold 132 includes one or more draw inlet bridges 134 extending inwardly from the first plate bonding area 112 to the span 130 extending the length of the first draw inlet manifold 132. The draw inlet bridges 134 are spaced apart to allow fluid to flow through the apertures defined between the draw inlet bridges 134. The draw inlet bridges 134 add strength to the outer edge of the spacer plate 100 (e.g., preventing blowout of the lateral boundary 107 connected thereto), while allowing flow of fluids (out of plane of the spacer plate) through a stack of membrane spacer plates. In some examples, the draw inlet manifold may be open without any draw bridges. A largest aperture in the first draw inlet manifold is disposed in a lowermost portion thereof and sized to receive fluid flow from a two inch (5.08 cm) fluid line. For example, the largest aperture created by the draw inlet bridges 134 may be at least 4 cm wide, such as 4 cm to 7 cm wide, 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm, less than 7 cm, 5.08 cm wide, or 4.75 cm wide (e.g., 1.87 inch). The apertures defined by the draw inlet bridges 134 may narrow as the apertures extend away from the widest end of the first draw inlet manifold 132 to the narrowest end of the first draw inlet manifold 132. The widest portion of the first draw inlet manifold 132 may be configured as a draw inlet port 135 on the first side 102.

[0060] The outer span 130 in the draw inlet manifold 132 is connected to ribs of the second membrane working surface on the opposite side of the spacer plate 100. The ribs are further connected to an inside span 140 (adjacent to the draw inlet manifold 132) extending from the top portion of the first membrane bonding area to the bottom portion of the membrane bondingarea. The inside span 140 is connected to the first membrane working area 120 by the ribs. The inside span 140 is at least partially vertically and horizontally spaced from the outer span 130 to allow fluid to flow between the spans. The inside span 140 is at least partially vertically and horizontally spaced from the surface of the first membrane working area 120 to allow fluid to flow therebetween. Accordingly, the first draw inlet manifold 132 is in fluid communication with (fluidly connected to) the first membrane working area 120. The inside span 140 connected to the first draw inlet manifold 132 includes a portion of the first membrane bonding area 122 and an innermost portion of the first plate bonding area 112 on the first side thereof.

[0061] The first draw outlet manifold 136 is defined or formed between an outermost portion of the first plate bonding area 112 and innermost portion of the first plate bonding area 112 adjacent thereto. As shown, the first draw outlet manifold 136 includes one or more draw outlet bridges 138 extending inwardly from the first plate bonding area 112 to the span 130 extending the length of the first draw outlet manifold 136. The draw outlet bridges 138 are spaced apart to allow fluid to flow through the apertures defined between the draw outlet bridges 138. The draw outlet bridges 138 add strength to the outer edge of the spacer plate 100 (e.g., preventing blow-out of the lateral boundary 109 connected thereto), while allowing flow of fluids (out of plane of the spacer plate) through a stack of membrane spacer plates. A largest aperture in the first draw outlet manifold is disposed in an uppermost portion thereof and sized to receive and transmit fluid flow from a two inch (5.08 cm) fluid line. For example, the largest aperture created by the draw outlet bridges 138 may be at least 4 cm wide, such as 4 cm to 7 cm wide, 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm, less than 7 cm, or 5.08 cm wide. The apertures defined by the draw outlet bridges 138 may narrow as the apertures extend away from the widest end of the first draw outlet manifold 136 to the nano west end of the first draw outlet manifold 136. The widest portion of the first draw outlet manifold 136 may be configured as a draw outlet port 139 on the first side 102.

[0062] The outer span 130 adjacent to the draw outlet manifold 136 is connected to ribs on the opposite side (second side) of the spacer plate 100. The ribs are further connected to the inside span 140 extending from the top portion of the first membrane bonding area 122 to the bottom portion of the membrane bonding area 122 adjacent to the first draw outlet manifold 136. The inside span 140 is connected to the first membrane working area 120 by the ribs 126. The inside span 140 is at least partially vertically and horizontally spaced from the outer span 130 to allow fluid to flow between the spans. The inside span 140 is at least partially vertically and horizontally spaced from the surface of the first membrane working area 120 to allow fluid to flow therebetween. The inside span 140 adjacent to the first draw outlet manifold 136includes a portion of the first membrane working area 120. Accordingly, the first draw inlet manifold 132 is in fluid communication with (fluidly connected to) the first membrane working area 120. The outer span 130 adjacent to the first draw outlet manifold 136 includes a portion of the first membrane bonding area 122 and an innermost portion of the first plate bonding area 112.

[0063] The first feed inlet manifold 142 is defined or formed between an outermost portion of the first plate bonding area 112 and the first membrane bonding area 122 adjacent thereto. As shown, the first feed inlet manifold 142 includes one or more feed inlet bridges 144 extending inwardly from the first plate bonding area 112 toward the first membrane bonding area 122. The feed inlet bridges 144 are spaced apart to allow fluid to flow through the apertures defined between the feed inlet bridges 144. The feed inlet bridges 144 add strength to the outer edge of the spacer plate 100 (e.g., preventing blow-out of the lower boundary 106 connected thereto), while allowing flow of fluids (out of plane of the spacer plate) through a stack of membrane spacer plates. In some examples, the feed inlet manifold may be open without any feed bridges. A largest aperture in the first feed inlet manifold 142 is disposed in a right most portion thereof and sized to receive fluid flow from a two-inch (5.08 cm) fluid line. For example, the largest aperture created by the feed inlet bridges 144 may be at least 4 cm wide, such as 4 cm to 7 cm wide, 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm, less than 7 cm, or 5.08 cm wide. The apertures defined by the feed inlet bridges 144 may narrow as the apertures extend away from the widest end of the first feed inlet manifold 142 to the narrowest end of the first feed inlet manifold 142. The widest portion of the first feed inlet manifold 142 may be configured as a feed inlet port 145 on the first side 102.

[0064] The first feed inlet manifold 142 may direct feed fluid toward the membrane working area 120 and eventually to the first feed outlet manifold 146. During use, a membrane will be disposed over the membrane working area 120 and the feed fluid would be directed over the membrane. Accordingly, the first feed inlet manifold 142 is in fluid communication with (fluidly connected to) the first feed outlet manifold 146 via the first membrane working area 120.

[0065] The first feed outlet manifold 146 is defined or formed between an outermost portion of the first plate bonding area 112 and the first membrane bonding area 122 adjacent thereto. As shown, the first feed outlet manifold 146 includes one or more feed outlet bridges 148 extending inwardly from the first plate bonding area 112 toward the first membrane bonding area 122. The feed outlet bridges 148 are spaced apart to allow fluid to flow through the apertures defined between the feed outlet bridges 148. The feed outlet bridges 148 addstrength to the outer edge of the spacer plate 100 (e.g., preventing blow-out of the upper boundary 108 connected thereto), while allowing flow of fluids (out of plane of the spacer plate) through a stack of membrane spacer plates. A largest aperture in the first feed outlet manifold 146 is disposed in a right most portion thereof and sized to receive fluid flow from a two inch (5.08 cm) fluid line. For example, the largest aperture created by the feed outlet bridges 148 may be at least 4 cm wide, such as 4 cm to 7 cm wide, 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm, less than 7 cm, or 5.08 cm wide. The apertures defined by the feed outlet bridges 148 may narrow as the apertures extend away from the widest end of the first feed outlet manifold 146 to the narrowest end of the first feed outlet manifold 146. The widest portion of the first feed outlet manifold 146 may be configured as a feed outlet port 149 on the first side 102.

[0066] The first feed outlet manifold 146 may receive feed fluid from the membrane working area 120 that was input via the first feed outlet manifold 142. During use, a membrane will be disposed over the membrane working area 120 and the feed fluid would be directed over the membrane. Accordingly, the first feed outlet manifold 146 is in fluid communication with (fluidly connected to) the first feed inlet manifold 142 via the first membrane working area 120.

[0067] The bridges in the inlet and outlet sides of both the feed side and the draw side may differ in number and / or location from each other to provide a flow path for fluid through a stack of membrane plate assemblies having a plurality of the membrane spacer plates 100. For example, when each plate is rotated 180 degrees with respect to an adjacent plate, the offset location and number of the bridges between the feed inlet manifold and the feed outlet manifold (as well as the draw inlet manifold and draw outlet manifold) provide for flow paths for fluid through the stack of membrane plate assemblies.

[0068] The relatively large apertures and inlet / outlet ports in the various manifolds reduce or eliminate head loss associated with fluid supply and output lines.

[0069] The first side 102 includes one or more first touch members 133 disposed thereon. For example, the one or more first touch members 133 extend vertically from the surface of the first side 102 a distance of at least 0.5 mm, such as 0.5 mm to 5 mm, 1 mm to 3 mm, or less than 5 mm. The first touch members 133 may be sized, shaped, positioned, and oriented to present the smallest touch point possible when positioned opposite second touch members on an adjacent spacer plate. For example, the first touch members 133 may be arranged on the first side 102 of the plate body 101 at an oblique angle with respect to the lower boundary 106. The angle of the touch members may be at least 20 degrees (negative or positive) with respect to the lower boundary 106, such as 20 degrees to 70 degrees, 30 degrees to 60 degrees, 40degrees to 50 degrees, or less than 70 degrees (negative or positive). The one or more first touch members 133 may have elongated (e.g., linear) shapes to provide a small cross section for contact with corresponding second touch members on an adjacent spacer plate. The upper surface of one or more first touch members 133 may be rounded to provide as small of a contact point as possible. In some examples, the upper surface of the one or more touch members may be a cusp, point, or flat. The one or more first touch members 133 are sized and shaped to transfer a compressive load from or to an adjacent spacer plate via contact with complementary touch members on the second side of the adjacent spacer plate but with as little plate to plate contact as possible. By limiting the contact between adjacent spacer plates using the touch members, the contaminants, solids, or other undesirable materials that often collect in an osmosis element or module at the touch points can be reduced or eliminated.

[0070] The one or more first touch members 133 may be disposed in a line on one or more portions of the first side 102. For example, the one more first touch members 133 may extend vertically from the outer span 130 in the first draw inlet manifold 132 from a bottom of the outer span 130 to the top of the outer span 130.

[0071] The plate body 101 may include one or more alignment apertures 151 therein. For example, an alignment aperture 151 may be located on one or more (e.g., all) comers of the plate body 101. The alignment aperture(s) 151 may be sized and shaped to receive alignment member(s) therethrough without allowing the plate body 101 to move laterally with respect to the alignment member(s). For example, the alignment apertures may be round to receive a cylindrical alignment member therein. The alignment apertures 151 may be disposed on the plate body in locations selected to align with other alignment apertures 151 on adjacent spacer plates. For example, an alignment aperture 151 on a bottom right comer of the plate body may be positioned with respect to the alignment aperture 151 on a top left hand comer of the plate body 101 effective to allow the alignment apertures 151 of identical spacer plates to align with each other when an adjacent spacer plate is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the spacer plate 100. The same may be true of all of the alignment apertures 151. In some examples, the plate body 101 may be substantially rectangular to prevent alignment of feed manifolds to draw manifolds.

[0072] The alignment apertures 151 may be used to accurately align a plurality of spacer plates 100 in a stack. Such alignment features are particularly useful for assembly of membrane elements having stacks of membrane plate assemblies therein.

[0073] The plate body 101 may include one or more handling apertures 152 therein, the one or more handling apertures 152 may be used to pick-up or otherwise move the spacer plate100. For example, one or more handling apertures 152 may be used to lift the spacer plate 100 using one or more dowels, rods, picking claws, or the like. Accordingly, the handling aperture(s) 152 may be sized and shaped to receive handling equipment therein or therethrough. The one or more handling apertures 152 may be a different size and / or shape than the one or more alignment apertures 151. For example, the one or more handling apertures 152 may be larger round holes than the one or more alignment apertures 151.

[0074] The handling apertures 152 may be located clockwise or counterclockwise from the one or more alignment apertures 151 on one or more comers of the plate body 101. For example, a handling aperture 152 may be located on one or more (e.g., all) comers of the plate body 101 counterclockwise from the alignment apertures 151. The handling apertures 152 may be disposed on the plate body in locations selected to align with other handling apertures 152 on adjacent spacer plates. For example, a handling aperture 152 on a bottom right comer of the plate body may be positioned with respect to the handling aperture 152 on a top left hand comer of the plate body 101 effective to allow the handling apertures 152 of identical spacer plates to align with each other when an adjacent spacer plate is rotated out of plane 180 degrees with respect to the spacer plate 100. The same may be true of all of the alignment apertures 151.

[0075] Similar features are disposed on the second side of the plate body 101.

[0076] FIG. 3A is a top view of the second side 104 of the spacer plate 100 after rotating the spacer plate 100 by 180 degrees about the lower boundary 106 from the front side, according to an embodiment. Like the first side 102, the second side 104 includes a plurality of raised and recessed surfaces to form one or more features of the spacer plate 100. For example, the second side 104 includes a second plate bonding area 162, a second membrane bonding area 170, a second membrane working area 160, the second draw inlet manifold 182, the second draw outlet manifold 186, the second feed inlet manifold 192, and the second feed outlet manifold 196.

[0077] The second plate bonding area 162 includes one or more surfaces sized, shaped, and located to bond to the complementary first plate bonding area on the first surface of an adj acent spacer plate stacked thereon. One or more portions of the second plate bonding area 162 may be at or spaced inwardly from the outer edge 105. For example, the second plate bonding area 162 may include one or more portions on or near the perimeter of the second side 104. The second plate bonding area 162 may be disposed around and enclose all or nearly all of the second side 104 to prevent fluid from leaking therefrom. One or more portions of the second plate bonding area 162 may be disposed between the second draw inlet manifold 182 and the second membrane bonding area 170 as well as between the second draw outlet manifold 186and the second membrane bonding area 170. Upon bonding to the corresponding first plate bonding area of an adjacent spacer plate, the second plate bonding area 162 may form a portion of a fluid tight seal around the second membrane bonding area 170, the second membrane working area 160, the second draw inlet manifold 182, the second draw outlet manifold 186, the second feed inlet manifold 192, and the second feed outlet manifold 196, to prevent fluid(s) from leaking therefrom and to at least partially define a draw fluid flow path and a feed fluid flow path.

[0078] The second side 104 may be configured as a male side of the spacer plate 100. In such examples, the second plate bonding area 162 has a male configuration such as a tongue for a tongue and groove interface between adjacent spacer plates. FIG. 3B is a close-up isometric view of the area B of FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment. As shown, the second plate bonding area 162 may include a tongue configuration. The tongue configuration includes the tongue 164 extending vertically from the second side 104. The tongue 164 may extend at least 0.5 mm above a minimum thickness (e.g., lowest surface on the second side) of the spacer plate 100, such as 0.5 mm to 5 mm, or less than 5 mm above the minimum thickness of the spacer plate 100. The tongue 164 may have a height or heights that are equal to or within 10% of the depth of the groove 116 (FIG. 2A), such as 1% to 10% of the depth of the groove 116. The tongue 164 is disposed on the second surface 104 as described above with respect to the second plate bonding area 162.

[0079] In some examples, the tongue 164 may exhibit more than one height, such as having a different height between the second draw outlet manifold 186 and the membrane bonding area 170 than at the perimeter of the second side 104. For example, the tongue 164 may be shorter between the draw outlet manifold 186 and the membrane bonding area 170 than at the perimeter of the second side 104. The width of the tongue 164 may be at least 2 mm, such as 2 mm to 20 mm, 4 mm to 10 mm, or less than 10 mm. The width of the tongue 164 may be at least 1% smaller than the width of the groove 116 on the first side 102, such as a% smaller to 10% smaller. The tongue 164 may be sized and shaped to provide a clearance fit, an interference fit, a transition fit, a slip fit, or a press fit in the groove 116. Upon j oining the plate bonding areas, the tongue 164 may contact the protrusions 124 in the groove 116 ofthe adjacent spacer plate.

[0080] Returning to FIG. 3 A, the second membrane bonding area 170 is spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body 101. For example, the second membrane bonding area 170 is disposed inside of the innermost portions of the second plate bonding area 162. The second membrane bonding area 170 at least partially defines the second membrane workingarea 160 disposed therein. The second membrane bonding area 170 may be vertically spaced from the second membrane working area 160. For example, the second membrane bonding area 170 includes a second membrane bonding surface 173 raised above one or more surrounding surfaces. The second membrane bonding surface 173 may be similar or identical to the first membrane bonding surface 123, such as being disposed above the surrounding surfaces by at least 0.2 mm, or 0.2 mm to 2 mm. The membrane bonding surface 173 may be at least 5 mm wide, such as 5 mm to 2.5 cm, 0.7 cm to 1.5 cm, or less than 2.5 cm wide. The membrane bonding area 170 and membrane bonding surface 173 may exhibit the same shape and dimensions as the first membrane bonding area and surface, such as being in the shape of a rectangle or in any other suitable shape (e.g., circle, polygon, ovoid, or the like).

[0081] The second membrane bonding area 170 and second membrane bonding surface 173 are disposed on the second side 104 at the first angle of incline al. The second membrane bonding area 170 is generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area 122 on the opposite side of the spacer plate, but is laterally shifted along the first angle of incline al with respect to the first membrane bonding area 122. As shown, the first angle of incline al on the second side 104 may be in the opposite direction of the first angle of incline on the first side, such that the membrane bonding areas on opposite sides of the spacer plate 102 are substantially parallel to each other and oriented at the same angle on the spacer plate. The first angle of incline al is oblique to the lower boundary 106 (now at the top of the rotated spacer plate 100 in FIG. 3 A). For example, the second membrane bonding area 170 may have at least a 2 degree (absolute value) angle of incline al away from the lower boundary 106, such as 2 degrees to 20 degrees, 2 degrees to 11 degrees, 7 degrees to 11 degrees, less than 20 degrees, or less than 11 degrees. The first angle of incline al may be at least 7 degrees away from the lower boundary 106. The second membrane bonding area 170 and second membrane bonding surface 173 on the second side 104 may additionally include the second angle of incline a2 as disclosed above with respect to FIG. 2A. The second angle of incline a2 on the second side 104 may be in the opposite direction of the second angle of incline on the first side, such that the membrane bonding areas on opposite sides of the spacer plate 102 are substantially parallel to each other and oriented at the same angle on the spacer plate. For example, the second membrane bonding area 170 may have at least a 3 degree (absolute value) angle of incline a2 away from the lateral boundary 107, such as 3 degrees to 20 degrees, 3 degrees to 14 degrees, 3 degrees to 9 degrees, less than 19 degrees, or less than 12 degrees. The second angle of incline a2 may be at least 8 degrees.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the second membrane bonding area 170 may include one or more second membrane protrusions 172 extending from the second membrane bonding surface 170. The second membrane protrusions 172 are similar or identical to the first membrane (bonding) protrusions 124 on the first membrane bonding area 122. For example, the one or more membrane protrusions 172 may extend vertically from the second membrane bonding area 170 a distance of at least 0.025 mm or about 0.025 mm to 2 mm. The shape of the upper surface of the membrane protrusions 172 may be any suitable shape such as circular, rectangular, polygonal, triangular, ovoid, or the like. The one or more membrane protrusions 172 may exhibit different shapes, such as rectangular and square. The one or more second membrane protrusions 172 prevent adhesive from being compressed out of the interface between the second membrane bonding area 170 and a membrane disposed thereon. Accordingly, the membrane protrusions 172 provide for more reliable membrane to plate bonds than spacer plates without membrane protrusions 172.

[0083] Like the first membrane bonding area, one or more portions of the second membrane bonding area 170 may be surrounded by one or more troughs 125. For example, one or more troughs 125 may be disposed between the second membrane bonding surface 173 of the second membrane bonding area 170 and the second plate bonding area 162 along the draw inlet manifold 182 and the draw outlet manifold 186.

[0084] The second draw inlet manifold 182, the second draw outlet manifold 186, the second feed inlet manifold 192, the second feed outlet manifold 196 are in fluid communication with the second membrane working area 1 0 bounded by the second membrane bonding area 170. For example, the second draw inlet manifold 182 is in fluid communication with the second membrane working area 160 via one or more flow direction surfaces 168 therebetween. During use, the draw solution in the second draw inlet manifold 182 is directed under the second plate bonding area 162 and second membrane bonding area 170 and then up onto the second membrane working area 160 below a membrane therein by one or more flow direction surfaces 168. Similarly, the draw fluid in the second membrane working area 160 below the membrane is directed under the second plate bonding area 162 and second membrane bonding area 170 into the second draw outlet manifold 186 by one or more flow direction surfaces 168. Likewise, feed fluid in the second feed inlet manifold 192 is directed over the membrane to the second feed outlet manifold 196 by one or more flow direction surfaces 168. Such flow direction surfaces 168 may include one or more ramps. For example, one or more portions of the second membrane bonding area 170 may be surrounded by a ramp di reeling flow thereover, such as at the second feed inlet manifold 192 and second feed outlet manifold 196.

[0085] Like the first side 102, the surface of the second side 104 in the membrane working area 160 may include one or more ribs 126 extending between the second draw inlet manifold 182 and the second draw outlet manifold 186. The one or more ribs 126 may extend above the surface by 0.2 mm or more such as 0.2 mm to 2 mm, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, or less than 2 mm. The one or more ribs 126 may extend across at least 50% of the width of the surface of the membrane working area 160 on the second side 104, such as 50% to 100%, 70% to 90%, or less than 90% of the width. The one or more ribs 126 define flow channels in the second membrane working area 160. The flow channels extend at least part of the distance between the second draw inlet manifold 182 and the second draw outlet manifold 186.

[0086] The surface of the second side 104 in the membrane working area 160 may include one or more protrusions 127 extending therefrom. The one or more protrusions 127 may be disposed across the surface in the second membrane working area 160. The one or more protrusions 127 may extend above the surface by 0.2 mm or more such as 0.2 mm to 2 mm, 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, or less than 2 mm. The one or more ribs 126 and one or more protrusions 127 may prevent the membrane from touching the surface of the second membrane working area 160 to maintain flow therethrough. The one or more protrusions 127 may also provide mixing in the draw fluid passing through the second membrane working area 160 below the membrane.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 3 A, the second draw inlet manifold 182, the second draw outlet manifold 186, the second feed inlet manifold 192, and the second feed outlet manifold 196 are disposed within an outermost portion of the second plate bonding area 162. The second draw inlet manifold 182, the second draw outlet manifold 186, the second feed inlet manifold 192, the second feed outlet manifold 196 may each have a substantially triangular or converging shape. The widest portion of the second draw inlet manifold 182 may be disposed on an upper left portion of the second side 104 (as rotated from FIG. 2A), a widest portion of the second draw outlet manifold 186 may be disposed on a lower right portion of the second side 104, a widest portion of the second feed inlet manifold 192 may be disposed on an upper right portion of the second side 104, and a widest portion of the second feed outlet manifold 196 may be disposed on a lower left portion of the second side 104. The substantially triangular or converging shape of the manifolds both accommodates the angle of incline of the second membrane bonding area 170 and provides for consistent fluid flow rates, velocities, and pressures across the width and length of the manifolds and the membrane working area 160 in fluid communication therewith. The membrane-to-membrane gap spacing may be relatively small (e.g., about 0.020 inch or about 0.5 mm, about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm) with respect tothe size of triangular manifold and input port. Such a configuration assures the impedance of the (membrane) flow path (e.g., space between the membranes on the spacer plate) is considerably larger than the impedance of the manifold(s) and the impedance of the input port(s). For example, the impedance of the membrane flow path may be at least 5 times higher than the impedance of the manifold flow path, such as 5 times to 20 times, 8 times to 15 times, at least 8 times, or at least 10 times higher than the impedance of the manifold, thereby ensuring uniform flow through the manifold(s) and flow path of the spacer plate.

[0088] The second draw inlet manifold 182 is defined or formed between an outermost portion of the second plate bonding area 162 and innermost portion of the second plate bonding area 162 adjacent thereto. As shown, the second draw inlet manifold 182 includes one or more draw inlet bridges 134 extending inwardly from the second plate bonding area 162 to the outer span 130 extending the length of the second draw inlet manifold 182. The draw inlet bridges 134 are spaced apart to allow fluid to flow through the apertures defined between the draw inlet bridges 134. The draw inlet bridges 134 add strength to the outer edge of the spacer plate 100 while allowing flow of fluids through a stack of membrane spacer plates as disclosed above. The largest aperture in the second draw inlet manifold 182 is disposed in an uppermost portion thereof (in the rotated orientation shown in FIG. 3A) and sized to receive fluid flow from a two-inch (5.08 cm) fluid line. For example, the largest aperture created by the draw inlet bridges 134 may be at least 4 cm wide, such as 4 cm to 7 cm wide, 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm, less than 7 cm, or 5.08 cm wide. The apertures defined by the draw inlet bridges 134 may narrow as the apertures extend away from the widest end of the second draw inlet manifold 182 to the narrowest end of the second draw inlet manifold 182. The widest portion of the second draw inlet manifold 182 may be configured as a draw inlet port 135 on the second side 104.

[0089] The outer span 130 in the second draw inlet manifold 182 is connected to ribs of the second membrane working area 160 on the opposite side of the spacer plate 100. The ribs are further connected to an inside span 140 (adjacent to the draw inlet manifold 182) extending from the top portion of the second membrane bonding area 170 to the bottom portion of the second membrane bonding area 170. The inside span 140 is connected to the second membrane working area 120 by the ribs. The inside span 140 is at least partially vertically and horizontally spaced from the outer span 130 to allow fluid to flow between the spans. The inside span 140 is at least partially vertically and horizontally spaced from the surface of the second membrane working area 160 to allow fluid to flow therebetween. Accordingly, the second draw inlet manifold 182 is in fluid communication with (fluidly connected to) the second membrane working area 160. The inside span 140 connected to the second draw inlet manifold 182includes a portion of the second membrane bonding area 170 and an innermost portion of the second plate bonding area 162 on the second side thereof.

[0090] The second draw inlet manifold 182 is substantially opposite the first draw inlet manifold 132 on the opposite side of the spacer plate 100. Put another way, both the first draw inlet manifold 132 and the second draw inlet manifold may be located within the same footprint on the spacer plate 100. As shown, the second draw inlet manifold 182 may be smaller than the first draw inlet manifold 132, such as having a narrower lateral width. The second draw inlet manifold 182 is fluidly connected to the first draw inlet manifold 132 via the apertures between the draw inlet bridges 134.

[0091] The second draw outlet manifold 186 is defined or formed between an outermost portion of the second plate bonding area 162 and innermost portion of the second plate bonding area 162 adjacent thereto. As shown, the second draw outlet manifold 186 includes one or more draw outlet bridges 138 extending inwardly from the second plate bonding area 162 to the outer span 130 extending the length of the second draw outlet manifold 186. The draw outlet bridges 138 are spaced apart to allow fluid to flow through the apertures defined between the draw outlet bridges 138. The draw outlet bridges 138 add strength to the outer edge of the spacer plate 100, while allowing flow of fluids through a stack of membrane spacer plates as disclosed above. The largest aperture in the second draw outlet manifold (as rotated in FIG. 3A) is disposed in an uppermost portion thereof and sized to receive and transmit fluid flow from a two inch (5.08 cm) fluid line. For example, the largest aperture created by the draw outlet bridges 138 may be at least 4 cm wide, such as 4 cm to 7 cm wide, 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm, less than 7 cm, or 5.08 cm wide. The apertures defined by the draw outlet bridges 138 may narrow as the apertures extend away from the widest end of the second draw outlet manifold 186 to the narrowest end of the second draw outlet manifold 186. The widest portion of the second draw outlet manifold 186 may be configured as a draw outlet port 139 on the second side 104.

[0092] The outer span 130 adjacent to the draw outlet manifold 186 is connected to ribs on the opposite side (first side) of the spacer plate 100. The ribs are further connected to the inside span 140 which extends from the top portion of the second membrane bonding area 170 to the bottom portion of the membrane bonding area 170 adjacent to the second draw outlet manifold 186. The inside span 140 is connected to the second membrane working area 160 by the ribs on the opposite side thereof. The inside span 140 is at least partially vertically and horizontally spaced from the outer span 130 to allow fluid to flow between the spans. The inside span 140 is at least partially vertically and horizontally spaced from the surface of the second membrane working area 160 to allow fluid to flow therebetween. Accordingly, the second draw inletmanifold 182 is in fluid communication with (fluidly connected to) the second membrane working area 160. The outer span 130 adjacent to the second draw outlet manifold 186 includes a portion of the second membrane bonding area 170 and an innermost portion of the second plate bonding area 162.

[0093] The second draw outlet manifold 186 is located substantially opposite the first draw outlet manifold 136 on the opposite side of the spacer plate 100. Put another way, both the first draw outlet manifold 136 and the second draw outlet manifold 186 may be located within in the substantially the same footprint on the spacer plate 100. As shown, the second draw outlet manifold 186 may be larger than the first draw outlet manifold 136, such as having a larger lateral width. The second draw outlet manifold 186 is fluidly connected to the first draw outlet manifold 136 via the apertures between the draw outlet bridges 138.

[0094] The second feed inlet manifold 192 is defined or formed between an outermost portion of the second plate bonding area 162 and the second membrane bonding area 170 adjacent thereto. As shown, the second feed inlet manifold 192 includes one or more feed inlet bridges 144 extending inwardly from the second plate bonding area 162 toward the second membrane bonding area 170. The feed inlet bridges 144 are spaced apart to allow fluid to flow through the apertures defined between the feed inlet bridges 144. The feed inlet bridges 144 add strength to the outer edge of the spacer plate 100, while allowing flow of fluids through a stack of membrane spacer plates 100 as disclosed above. The largest aperture in the second feed inlet manifold 192 is disposed in a right most portion thereof and sized to receive fluid flow from atwo inch (5.08 cm) fluid line. For example, the largest aperture created by the feed inlet bridges 144 may be at least 4 cm wide, such as 4 cm to 7 cm wide, 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm, less than 7 cm, or 5.08 cm wide. The apertures defined by the feed inlet bridges 144 may narrow as the apertures extend away from the widest end of the second feed inlet manifold 192 to the narrowest end of the second feed inlet manifold 192. The widest portion of the second feed inlet manifold 192 may be configured as a feed inlet port 145 on the second side 104.

[0095] The second feed inlet manifold 192 may direct feed fluid toward the membrane working area 160 and eventually to the second feed outlet manifold 196. During use, a membrane will be disposed over the membrane working area 160 and the feed fluid would be directed over the membrane. Accordingly, the second feed inlet manifold 192 is in fluid communication with (fluidly connected to) the second feed outlet manifold 196 via the second membrane working area 160.

[0096] The second feed inlet manifold 192 is located substantially opposite the first feed inlet manifold 142 on the opposite side of the spacer plate 100. Put another way, both the firstfeed inlet manifold 142 and the second feed inlet manifold 192 may be located within in the substantially the same footprint on the spacer plate 100. The second feed inlet manifold 192 is fluidly connected to the first feed inlet manifold 142 via the apertures between the feed inlet bridges 144.

[0097] The second feed outlet manifold 196 is defined or formed between an outermost portion of the second plate bonding area 162 and the second membrane bonding area 170 adjacent thereto. As shown, the second feed outlet manifold 196 includes one or more feed outlet bridges 148 extending inwardly from the second plate bonding area 162 toward the second membrane bonding area 170. The feed outlet bridges 148 are spaced apart to allow fluid to flow through the apertures defined between the feed outlet bridges 148. The feed outlet bridges 148 add strength to the outer edge of the spacer plate 100, while allowing flow of fluids through a stack of membrane spacer plates as disclosed herein. The largest aperture in the second feed outlet manifold 196 is disposed in a right most portion thereof and sized to receive fluid flow from a two inch (5.08 cm) fluid line. For example, the largest aperture created by the feed outlet bridges 148 may be at least 4 cm wide, such as 4 cm to 7 cm wide, 4.5 cm to 5.5 cm, less than 7 cm, or 5.08 cm wide. The apertures defined by the feed outlet bridges 148 may narrow as the apertures extend away from the widest end of the second feed outlet manifold 196 to the narrowest end of the second feed outlet manifold 196. The widest portion of the second feed outlet manifold 196 may be configured as a feed outlet port 149 on the second side 104.

[0098] The second feed outlet manifold 196 may receive feed fluid from the membrane working area 160 that was input via the second feed outlet manifold 196. During use, a membrane will be disposed over the second membrane working area 160 and the feed fluid would be directed over the membrane. Accordingly, the second feed outlet manifold 196 is in fluid communication with (fluidly connected to) the second feed inlet manifold 192 via the second membrane working area 160.

[0099] The second feed outlet manifold 196 is located substantially opposite the first feed outlet manifold 146 on the opposite side of the spacer plate 100. Put another way, both the second feed outlet manifold 196 and the first feed outlet manifold 146 may be located within in the substantially the same footprint on the spacer plate 100. The second feed outlet manifold 196 is fluidly connected to the first feed outlet manifold 146 via the apertures between the feed outlet bridges 148.

[0100] The bridges in the inlet and outlet sides of both the feed side and the draw side may differ in number and / or location from each other to provide a flow path for fluid through a stackof membrane plate assemblies having a plurality of the membrane spacer plates 100. For example, when each plate is rotated 180 degrees with respect to an adjacent plate, the offset location and number of the bridges between the feed inlet manifold and the feed outlet manifold (as well as the draw inlet manifold and draw outlet manifold) provide for flow paths for fluid through the stack of membrane plate assemblies.

[0101] The relatively large apertures and inlet / outlet ports in the various manifolds reduce or eliminate head loss associated with fluid supply and output lines.

[0102] The second side 104 includes one or more second touch members 163 disposed thereon. For example, the one or more second touch members 163 extend vertically from the surface of the second side 104. The one or more second touch members may be similar or identical to the first touch members 133 in one or more aspects. For example, the second touch members 163 may be sized, shaped, positioned, and oriented to present the smallest touch point possible when positioned opposite first touch members 133 on an adjacent spacer plate. The second touch members 163 may be arranged on the second side 104 of the plate body 101 at an oblique angle with respect to the lower boundary 106. The one or more second touch members 163 have be disposed on the second side 104 at the same angle as first touch members 133 (on the rotated spacer plate 100 shown in FIG. 3 A) such that when the second side is facing down and rotated 180 degrees in plane, the second touch members 163 are located over and substantially perpendicular to the first touch members 133 on an adjacent spacer plate 100. The angle of the second touch members 163 may be at least 20 degrees (negative or positive) with respect to the lower boundary 106, such as 20 degrees to 70 degrees, 30 degrees to 60 degrees, 40 degrees to 50 degrees, or less than 70 degrees (negative or positive). The one or more second touch members 163 may have an elongated (e.g., linear) shape to provide a small cross section for contact. The upper surface of one or more second touch members 163 may be rounded. In some examples, the upper surface of the one or more second touch members 163 may be a cusp, point, or flat. The one or more second touch members 163 are sized and shaped to transfer a compressive load from or to an adjacent spacer plate via contact with the first touch members on the first side of the adjacent spacer plate but with as little plate to plate contact as possible.

[0103] The one or more second touch members 163 may be disposed in a line on one or more portions of the second side 104. For example, the one more second touch members 163 may extend vertically from the outer span 130 in the second draw outlet manifold 186 from a bottom of the outer span 130 to the top of the outer span 130. Accordingly, when an adjacent spacer plate is rotated 180 degrees, in plane (e.g., rotated about a center point), with respect to a first spacer plate (or membrane plate assembly) and the second side is facing downward, thefirst touch members 133 are located over and substantially perpendicular to the second touch members 163 on the second spacer plate. The perpendicular orientation minimizes the touch points between plates so that fluid flow is not restricted to maintain feed flow and for cleaning.

[0104] The one or more alignment apertures 151 and one or more handling apertures 152 are present on the second side 104. As shown, the one or more handling apertures 152 may be located clockwise with respect to the one or more alignment apertures 151 on the second side 104.

[0105] The spacer plate 100 may be used to form a stack of membrane plate assemblies for separating solvent(s) from a feed fluid via osmosis (e.g., forward osmosis). The stack utilizes spacer plates having an alternating orientation of adjacent spacer plates in the stack, wherein each membrane spacer plate is rotated 180 degrees, in plane, with respect to adjacent spacer plates. In such examples, all the spacer plates in the stack may have first sides all facing the same direction (up or down).

[0106] FIG. 4 is a top view of two spacer plates 100a and 100b stacked, according to an embodiment. As shown, the spacer plates 100a and 100b may be stacked on each other such that one or more features are aligned therebetween. The spacer plates 100a and 100b are identical to the spacer plate 100. The (first) spacer plate 100a is disposed on the (second) spacer plate 100b. The spacer plate 100a is rotated 180 degrees in plane with respect to the spacer plate 100b. The spacer plate 100a has the first side 102a facing upward and the first draw inlet manifold on the right side thereof. The spacer plate 100b has the first side 102b facing up with first draw inlet manifold on the left side thereof. As shown, the alignment apertures 151 and handling apertures 152 of the spacer plates 100a and 100b are aligned with each other.

[0107] The terms “inlet manifold” and “outlet manifold” herein are used as labels for distinguishing different parts of the spacer plates, but it should be understood that an “inlet manifold” may be used as an “outlet manifold” and an “outlet manifold” may be used as an “inlet manifold” depending upon the orientation of the spacer plates with respect to fluid input and fluid output lines attached thereto. The labels used to describe features on an uppermost or a lowermost spacer plate in a stack may define what is used as the actual inlet or outlet of a feed side or draw side of the spacer plates in a stack.

[0108] The first draw inlet manifold of the spacer plate 100a is aligned vertically (out of plane) with the first draw outlet manifold of the spacer plate 100b. Accordingly, the first draw inlet bridges 134a of the spacer plate 100a are in an alternating and offset orientation with respect to the first draw outlet bridges 138b of the spacer plate 100b. The result is a flow path (vertically according to the top view) therethrough with apertures formed through the stack andan alternating orientation of the bridges 134a and 138b to allow fluid flow through the stack. The largest aperture in the stack at the first draw inlet manifold is the draw inlet port 135. The draw inlet port 135 may be disposed on the lowest point of the draw side of the stack, such as in the left bottom comer of the stack (e.g., when the stack is rotated 180 degrees from the view shown in FIG. 4).

[0109] The first draw outlet manifold of the spacer plate 100a is aligned vertically with the first draw inlet manifold of the spacer plate 100b. Accordingly, the first draw outlet bridges 138a of the spacer plate 100a are in an alternating and offset orientation with respect to the first draw inlet bridges 134b of the spacer plate 100b. The result is a flow path (vertically according to the top view) therethrough with apertures formed through the stack and an alternating orientation of the bridges 134b and 138a to allow fluid flow through the stack. The largest aperture in the stack at the first draw outlet manifold is the draw outlet port 139. The draw outlet port 139 may be disposed on the highest point of the draw side of the stack, such as in the top right comer of the stack (when the stack is rotated 180 degrees from the view shown in FIG. 4).

[0110] The first feed inlet manifold of the spacer plate 100a is aligned vertically with the first feed outlet manifold of the spacer plate 100b. Accordingly, the first feed inlet bridges 144a of the spacer plate 100a are in an alternating and offset orientation with respect to the first feed outlet bridges 148b of the spacer plate 100b. The result is a flow path (vertically according to the top view) therethrough with apertures formed through the stack and an alternating orientation of the bridges 144a and 148b to allow fluid flow through the stack. The largest aperture in the stack at the first feed inlet manifold is the feed inlet port 145. The feed inlet port 145 may be disposed on the lowest point of the feed side of the stack, such as in the right bottom comer of the stack (e.g., when the stack is rotated 180 degrees from the view shown in FIG. 4).

[0111] The first feed outlet manifold of the spacer plate 100a is aligned vertically with the first feed inlet manifold of the spacer plate 100b. Accordingly, the first feed outlet bridges 148a of the spacer plate 100a are in an alternating and offset orientation with respect to the first feed inlet bridges 144b of the spacer plate 100b. The result is a flow path (vertically according to the top view) therethrough with apertures formed through the stack and an alternating orientation of the bridges 144b and 148a to allow fluid flow through the stack. The largest aperture in the stack at the first feed outlet manifold is the feed outlet port 149. The feed outlet port 149 may be disposed on the highest point of the feed side of the stack, such as in the top left comer of the stack (when the stack is rotated 180 degrees from the view shown in FIG. 4).

[0112] When membranes are atached to the spacer plates, the resulting structure is a membrane plate assembly suitable for use in osmotic separation of solvents from a feed solution.

[0113] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a membrane plate assembly 200, according to an embodiment. The membrane plate assembly 200 includes a spacer plate 100 having a first membrane 210 and a second membrane 220 bonded to the first and second membrane bonding areas, respectively. For example, the first membrane 210 may be bonded to the first membrane bonding area 122 on the first side 102 of the plate body 101. The second membrane 220 may be bonded to the second membrane bonding area on the second side of the plate body 101.

[0114] The first and second membranes 210 and 220 are configured as osmosis membranes configured to allow one or more solvents (e.g., water) to pass therethrough and to selectively reject one or more solvents or dissolved materials, such as sodium, chlorine (e.g., chloride ions), fluorine, magnesium, potassium, transition metals, or the like. For example, the first and second membranes 210 and 220 may be configured as forward osmosis membranes. The first and second membranes 210 and 220 may include a cellulose acetate, a polyacrylonitrile, metaaramids (e.g., Nomex®), a para-aramid (e.g., Kevlar®), an acrylate-modified poly(vinylidene fluoride), a polyamide or thin film composite (TFC) with a poly sulfone, a polyamide, a polyethersulfone, a polyacrylonitrile, an acrylate-modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) polymer support layer, any membrane material suitable for forward osmosis, or combinations of the foregoing. Different types of membranes may be used for the first and second membranes 210 and 220, such as reverse osmosis membranes, ultrafiltration membranes, nanofiltration membranes, membrane distillation membranes, or pressure retarded osmosis membranes. Examples of suitable membranes for use herein are described in U.S. Patent Number 8,920,654, filed on September 30, 2011; U.S. Patent No. 9,216,391, filed on March 23, 2012; U.S. Patent No. 9,227,360, filed on October 17, 2012; PCT Application No. PCT / US2013 / 068143, filed on November 1, 2013; and U.S. Patent No. 9,636,635, filed on December 20, 20213, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, for any purpose, by this reference.

[0115] The first and second membranes 210 and 220 may be bonded (e.g., fluidly sealed) to the membrane bonding areas by an adhesive (e.g., epoxy, pressure sensitive adhesive, polyurethane, glue), welding (e.g., thermal coupling, thermal solvent, ultrasonic weld), a fold line, a crimp line, or any other suitable fluid tight bonding means. The bond or coupling provides a fluid tight seal between the bonding area and the respective membrane. Accordingly, the membranes, manifolds and bonding areas create and separate feed and draw sides of (e.g.,the feed flow path and draw flow path through) the membrane plate assembly and stacks thereof.

[0116] As shown, the first membrane bonding area 122 at least partially defines a first membrane working area between the first side therein and the first (osmosis) membrane 210. When the first membrane 210 is bonded to the spacer plate 100, the first draw inlet manifold and the first draw outlet manifold are fluidly connected to the first membrane work area and an inside surface of the first membrane 210 to at least partially define the draw side (e.g., draw flow path) of the membrane plate assembly 200 or stack thereof. The second membrane bonding area at least partially defines a second membrane working area between the second side therein and the second (osmosis) membrane 220. When the second membrane 220 is bonded to the spacer plate 100, the second draw inlet manifold and the second draw outlet manifold are fluidly connected to the second membrane work area and an inside surface of the second membrane 220 to at least partially define the draw' side of the membrane plate assembly 200 or stack thereof.

[0117] When the first membrane 210 is bonded to the spacer plate 100, the first feed inlet manifold and the first feed outlet manifold are in fluid communication with an outside surface of the first membrane 210 to at least partially define the feed side (e.g., feed flow path) of the membrane plate assembly 200 or stack thereof. When the second membrane 220 is bonded to the spacer plate 100, the second feed inlet manifold and the second feed outlet manifold are in fluid communication with an outside surface of the second membrane 220 to at least partially define the feed side of the membrane plate assembly 200 or stack thereof.

[0118] A plurality of membrane plate assemblies 200 may be stacked to form an osmosis membrane element. FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view' of an osmosis membrane element 300, according to an embodiment. The osmosis membrane element 300 includes a plurality of membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n arranged in a stack 280. The stack 280 may be disposed between ahead plate 320 and a foot plate 310. In use, the osmosis membrane element 300 may be in a vertical orientation (e.g., the membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n are oriented vertically and stacked horizontally).

[0119] The membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n are identical to the membrane plate assembly 200, in one or more aspects. The number of membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n in the stack 280 may be 2 or more, such as 2 to 100, 10 to 50, 50 to 100, 14 to 40, 18 to 36, 24 to 48, less than 50, or less than 40. The first side of each membrane spacer plate assembly 200a- 200n is facing the same direction (e.g., left or right when in a vertical orientation). The membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n in the stack 280 are arranged in an alternatingorientation with each membrane plate assembly 200a-200n being rotated 180 degrees (in plane) with respect to the immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies. When rotated 180 degrees with respect to an immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly 200a-200n, the touch members in the immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n face each other and can transfer a compressive load therebetween and through the stack 280.

[0120] Immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies of the plurality of membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n are bonded (e.g. , fluidly sealed) together at the plate bonding areas thereof, such as by any of the adhesives disclosed herein. The bond or coupling between the membrane plates assemblies 200a-200n provides a fluid tight seal between the plate bonding areas of the immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n. Accordingly, the manifolds, plate bonding areas, membranes, and membrane bonding areas create and separate feed and draw sides of (e.g., the feed flow path and draw flow path through) the membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n in the stack 280.

[0121] The bridges of the membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n also make a relatively strong stack that resists blowout and delamination between the spacer plates. The bridges and separated feed fluid and draw fluid flow paths allow the plurality of membrane plates assemblies 200a-200n in the osmosis membrane element 300 to run in a parallel flow orientation at relatively consistent fluid pressures, consistent fluid flow rates, and consistent fluid velocities throughout all of the membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n in the stack 280, without or with reduced head loss from a feed inlet line and draw inlet line (compared to plate assemblies with spacer plates that do not include the bridges and separated flow paths). The membrane plate assemblies 200a-200n are configured to direct flow of a feed stream substantially perpendicular to the flow of a draw stream through the stack 280.

[0122] The stack 280 is disposed between the head plate 320 and the foot plate 310. The head plate 320 and the foot plate 310 may be used structurally hold the stack 280 at a size (e.g., number of plate assemblies or total membrane surface area) that is able to contain the operating stack 280 during manufacturing and handling. The head plate 320 and foot plate 310 may be bonded the membrane spacer plates at opposite ends of the stack 280, respectively, such as via any of the adhesives disclosed herein, or any other suitable bonding technique. For example, the foot plate 310 may be disposed below a bottom most membrane plate assembly when the membrane plate assemblies are arranged horizontally and stacked vertically. The head plate 320 may be disposed on a top of an uppermost membrane plate assembly when the membrane plate assemblies are arranged horizontally and stacked vertically.

[0123] FIG. 6 and FIGS. 7A-7B depict the head plate 320 and foot plate 310. FIG. 7A is an isometric view of the foot side of the osmosis membrane element 300, according to an embodiment. FIG. 7B is an isometric view of the head side of the osmosis membrane element 300, according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7 A, the foot plate 310 includes a foot plate body 311 having one or more apertures and alignment features therein. The foot plate body 311 may have substantially the same lateral dimensions or even larger lateral dimensions that the spacer plate assemblies in the stack 280. The foot plate 310 may have a thicker body than the spacer plate 100 (FIG. 2B). The material of the foot plate body 311 may include a polymer, a metal, metal allow, ceramic, or combinations thereof. Suitable polymers for the foot plate body 311 may include any of the polymers disclosed herein for the spacer plates.

[0124] The foot plate 310 may include a base side or surface (e.g., outward facing side) having alignment slots 312, plate alignment apertures 314, plate pick-up apertures 316, and one or more ports 318 therein. The alignment slots 312 may be disposed on the base surface at locations selected to align with complementary alignment features on the head plate. The alignment slots 312 may be recessed areas in the foot plate body 311, the recessed areas having a width that is equal to or substantially the same as complementary alignment features (e.g., slots) on the head plate to align the foot plate 310 with a head plate of an adjacent osmosis membrane element. In use, the alignment slots 312 may have a rod, dowel, or other alignment body inserted therein. In such examples, the alignment body may extend out of the alignment slot 312 and into a complementary alignment slot on an adjacent head plate to align adjacent osmosis membrane elements in a head to foot configuration.

[0125] The foot plate 310 includes a top side (e.g., inward facing side) that is opposite the base side. The top side includes one or more plate bonding features thereon such as a first plate bonding area or second plate bonding area (depending on the orientation of the spacer plates bonded thereto). Accordingly, the foot plate 310 can be bonded to, and form a fluid tight seal with, the plate bonding area 112 or 162 (FIG. 2A and 3 A) of an immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly in the stack 280. The top side may include a recess that is sized, shaped, and located to allow fluid flow between the foot plate 310 and the membrane of an immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly bonded thereto. For example, the top side or surface of the foot plate includes a recessed area corresponding to a size and location of the first membrane or the second membrane of an immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly to allow fluid to flow between the recessed area and first membrane or the second membrane. In some examples, the top side may be substantially planar and the plate bonding area of the immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly may be bound thereto.

[0126] The foot plate 310 includes the plate alignment apertures 314. The plate alignment apertures 314 are sized, shaped, and located to align with the alignment apertures 151 (FIG. 2A) of the spacer plates in the membrane plate assemblies of the stack 280. The plate alignment apertures 314 may be disposed on one or more (e g., each) comer of the foot plate 310. The alignment apertures 314 may be used to align the foot plate 310 with the membrane plate assemblies in the stack 280 using the alignment apertures 151 of the spacer plates therein. For example, an alignment rod disposed through the alignment apertures 314 may be used to align the alignment apertures 151 of the spacer plates with the alignment apertures 314 to form the osmosis membrane element 300, starting with the foot plate 310, then the stack 280, and then the head plate 320.

[0127] The foot plate 310 may include the plate pick-up apertures 316. The plate pick-up apertures 316 are sized and shaped to allow the foot plate or osmosis membrane element 300 to be picked up without touching other surfaces of the foot plate 310 or osmosis membrane element 300. For example, the plate pick-up apertures 316 may be cylindrical, threaded, squared, stepped, or combinations of the foregoing. The plate pick-up apertures 316 may be disposed on one or more (e.g., each) comer of the foot plate 310. The plate pick-up apertures 316 may be located clockwise or counterclockwise from the plate alignment apertures 314. The plate pick-up apertures 316 may be aligned with the handling apertures 152 of the spacer plates 100 (FIG. 2A).

[0128] The foot plate includes one or more ports 318 thereon. The one or more ports 318 are positioned and configured to fluidly connect with one or more fluid lines, fittings, or mating components connected thereto. The one or more ports 318 are positioned to fluidly communicate with one or more of a feed inlet, a feed outlet, a draw inlet, or a draw outlet of the membrane plate assemblies in the stack 280. For example, the one or more ports 318 are sized, shaped, and located to allow fluid flow into and through the draw inlet manifolds, the draw outlet manifolds, the feed inlet manifolds, and the feed outlet manifolds of the membrane plate assemblies in the stack 280. The one or more ports 318 are positioned to fluidly connect with one or more ports 328 of an immediately adjacent head plate, such as via one or more fittings (International Dairy Federation (IDF) gasket) therebetween. The one or more ports 318 may include a first port corresponding to the feed inlet as a lowest port on the foot plate, a second port corresponding to the feed outlet as a highest port on the foot plate, a third port corresponding to the draw inlet, and a fourth port corresponding to the draw outlet on the foot plate where the third port is below the fourth port.

[0129] As noted above, the foot plate 310 includes one or more alignment slots to align with the head plate of an adjacent osmosis module head plate 320. As shown in FIG. 7B, the head plate 320 includes a head plate body 321 having one or more apertures and alignment features therein. The head plate body 321 may have substantially the same lateral dimensions or even larger lateral dimensions that the spacer plate assemblies in the stack 280. The head plate 320 may have a thicker body than the spacer plate 100 (FIG. 2B). The material of the head plate body 321 may be similar or identical to the material of the foot plate body 311.

[0130] The head plate 320 includes a top surface (e.g., outward facing surface) having alignment slots 322, plate alignment apertures 324, plate pick-up apertures 326, and one or more ports 328 therein. The alignment slots 322 may be disposed on the top surface at locations selected to align with complementary alignment features (alignment slots 322) on the foot plate. The alignment slots 322 may be similar or identical to the alignment slots 312 in one or more aspects. For example, the alignment slots may include recessed areas in the head plate body 321, the recessed areas having a width that is equal to or substantially the same as complementary alignment features (e.g., slots) on the foot plate to align the head plate 320 with an adjacent foot plate. In use, the alignment slots 322 may have a rod, dowel, or other alignment body inserted therein. In such examples, the alignment body may extend out of the alignment slot 322 and into a complementary alignment slot 312 on a foot plate to align adjacent osmosis membrane elements in a heat to foot configuration.

[0131] The head plate 320 includes a bottom side (e.g., inward or stack-facing side) that is opposite the top side. The bottom side includes one or more plate bonding features thereon such as a first plate bonding area or second plate bonding area (depending on the orientation of the spacer plates bonded thereto). Accordingly, the head plate 320 can be bonded to, and form a fluid tight seal with, the plate bonding area 112 or 162 (FIG. 2A and 3A) of an immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly in the stack 280. The bottom side may include a recess that is sized and shaped to allow fluid flow between the head plate body 321 and the membrane of an immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly bonded thereto. For example, the bottom (e.g., inside) side or surface of the head plate may include a recessed area corresponding to a size and location of the first membrane or the second membrane of an immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly to allow fluid to flow between the recessed area and first membrane or the second membrane. In some examples, the bottom side may be substantially planar and the plate bonding area of the immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly may be bound thereto.

[0132] The head plate 320 includes the plate alignment apertures 324. The plate alignment apertures are similar or identical to the plate alignment apertures 314 of the foot plate. The plate alignment apertures 324 may be disposed on one or more (e.g., each) comer of the head plate 320. The alignment apertures 324 may be used to align the head plate 320 with the membrane plate assemblies in the stack 280 using the alignment apertures 151 of the spacer plates therein. For example, an alignment rod disposed through the alignment apertures 324 may be used to align the alignment apertures 151 of the spacer plates with the alignment apertures 324 to form the osmosis membrane element 300, starting with the foot plate 310, then the stack 280, and then the head plate 320.

[0133] The head plate 320 may include the plate pick-up apertures 326. The plate pick-up apertures 326 may be similar or identical to the plate pick-up apertures 316 in one or more aspects. The plate pick-up apertures 326 may be disposed on one or more (e.g., each) comer of the head plate 320. The plate pick-up apertures 326 may be located clockwise or counterclockwise from the plate alignment apertures 324. The plate pick-up apertures 326 may be aligned with the handling apertures 152 of the spacer plates 100 (FIG. 2A).

[0134] The head plate includes one or more ports 328 thereon. The one or more ports 328 may be similar or identical to the one or more ports 318 in one or more aspects. The one or more ports 328 are positioned to fluidly connect with one or more of a feed inlet, a feed outlet, a draw inlet, or a draw outlet of the membrane plate assemblies in the stack 280. For example, the one or more ports 328 are sized, shaped, and located to allow fluid flow into and through the draw inlet manifolds, the draw outlet manifolds, the feed inlet manifolds, and the feed outlet manifolds of the membrane plate assemblies in the stack 280. The one or more ports 328 are positioned to fluidly connect with one or more ports 318 of an immediately adjacent foot plate, such as via one or more fittings (e.g., International Dairy Federation (IDF) gasket) therebetween. The one or more ports 328 may include a first port corresponding to the feed inlet as a lowest port on the foot plate, a second port corresponding to the feed outlet as a highest port on the foot plate, a third port corresponding to the draw inlet, and a fourth port corresponding to the draw outlet on the foot plate where the third port is below the fourth port.

[0135] As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the lower boundary of the osmosis membrane element 300 and membrane plate assemblies therein may be arranged at an angle sloping or tilting in the opposite direction of the angle of incline a when in use. For example, the lower boundary of the spacer plates in the stack 280 may be tilted by at least -2 degrees, such as -2 degrees to -8 degrees off of horizontal when the osmosis membrane element 300 is used in an osmosis module. The angle of incline a in such embodiments is high enough so that theresultant tilt of the angle of the membrane bonding areas above horizontal is at least 2 degrees when the lower boundary of the spacer plate(s) is tilted by -2 degrees to -8 degrees. For example, the lower boundary of the membrane spacer plates in the plurality of membrane plate assemblies of a stack 280 may be tilted by -2 degrees to -8 degrees from horizontal when the angle of incline a is 10 degrees or more. In such embodiments, the lowest port 328 on the draw side is the lower left port 328 which is the draw inlet port and the lowest port on the feed side is the lower right port 328 which is the feed inlet port, when the head plate is configured as the inlet plate in the osmosis membrane element 300. Such a configuration allows the feed side and draw side in the osmosis membrane element to purge gases therefrom during operation and to fully drain when not in use.

[0136] FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the osmosis membrane element 300 of FIG. 7B, according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7C, the bridges on the aligned sides of the altematingly rotated the spacer plates in the stack 280 are offset and spaced from each other to provide flow paths through the stack (vertically as shown in the horizontal configuration of FIG. 7C, or horizontally when in use in a vertical orientation). For example, the first draw inlet bridges 134n of the membrane spacer plate lOOn are below and laterally offset from the first draw outlet bridges 138m of the adjacent membrane spacer plate 100m bonded thereto. Likewise, the first draw outlet bridges 138m of the membrane spacer plate 100m are below and laterally offset from the first draw inlet bridges 1341 (letter L) of the adj acent membrane spacer plate 1001 bonded thereto. The first draw inlet bndges 1341 of the membrane spacer plate 1001 are below and laterally offset from the first draw outlet bridges 138k of the adjacent membrane spacer plate 100k bonded thereto. This pattern repeats throughout the stack 280 and in like configurations on each side of the stack 280.

[0137] FIG. 7D is a close-up cross-sectional view of the osmosis membrane element 300 of FIG. 7B, according to an embodiment. The portion of the stack 280 shown in FIG. 7D includes the membrane plate assemblies 200a-200h. As shown, the membrane plate assemblies 200a-200h are arranged in an alternating orientation with each membrane plate assembly being rotated 180 degrees with respect to the immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies. For example, the groove 116a of the first bonding area 112a of the membrane plate assembly 200a is bonded to the tongue 164b of the second bonding area 162b of the second membrane plate assembly 200b. The first membrane bonding area 122a of the first membrane plate assembly 200a faces the second membrane bonding area 170b of the second membrane plate assembly 200b. The membranes bonded thereto separate the feed side (feed fluid flow) and draw side (draw fluid flow ) through the that portion of the stack 280.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 7D, the membrane bonding areas 122a and 170a are laterally offset from each other on the spacer plate in the membrane plate assembly 200a. Likewise, the membrane bonding areas 122b and 170b are laterally offset from each other on the spacer plate in the membrane plate assembly 200b. When membrane plate assembly 200b is rotated 180 degrees in plane with respect to the membrane plate assembly 200a, the membrane bonding areas 170b and 122a are laterally aligned with each other.

[0139] The membranes 210 and 220 (FIGS. 2A and 3 A) bound thereto separate the draw stream from the feed stream during use. Likewise, the membranes 210 and 220 bonded to the bonding areas 170a and 122b separate the feed stream from the draw stream flow paths through the stack 280.

[0140] During use, the draw stream may flow between an individual spacer plate and an inside surface (plate facing surface) of the osmosis membranes in the membrane plate assemblies 200a-200h (e.g., in the membrane gap). During use, the feed stream may flow between outside surfaces (e.g., away from the spacer plate) the osmosis membranes in the membrane plate assemblies 200a-200h. For example, the membrane plate assemblies 200a- 200h are configured to direct flow of a feed stream outside of the first and second osmosis membranes of the individual membrane plate assemblies 200a-200h and to direct flow of a draw stream between the first osmosis membrane and the first side and between the second osmosis membrane and the second side of the individual membrane plate assemblies 200a- 200h. Such a configurations reduce or eliminate obstructions in the feed flow path, which may reduce or eliminate particulate collection or organic matter build-up on the obstructions (e.g., protrusions) in the flow path to create a more hygienic osmosis membrane element 300. While the draw' stream and feed stream and their associated flow paths are described above, it should be understood that the “draw” and “feed” labels may be switched depending upon the desired fluid flows through the flow paths. For example, the draw and feed streams may be switched in the above-noted configuration if desired. In such examples, it may be desirable to flow the feed stream in the membrane gap and the draw stream between outside surfaces the osmosis membranes in the membrane plate assemblies 200a-200h.

[0141] The draw stream may flow horizontally, such as from left to right, in FIG. 7B and the feed stream may flow vertically, such as from top to bottom, during use, or vice versa. Such flows may be substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0142] A plurality of osmosis membrane elements 300 may be fluidly connected to form an osmosis module. FIG. 8A is an isometric view of an osmosis module 400, according to an embodiment. The osmosis module 400 includes at least one set of osmosis membrane elements300 arranged in a stack 480. The osmosis module 400 may include a first endplate 410 at a first end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements, a second endplate 420 at a second end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements, and one or more tension members 430 connected to the first endplate 410 and the second endplate 420. The osmosis module may be configured as a forward osmosis module or as a reverse osmosis module (e.g., when no draw fluid is circulated through the draw side).

[0143] The number of osmosis membrane elements 300 in the stack 480 may include at least two osmosis membrane elements, such as 2 to 100, 2 to 50, 2 to 10, 5 to 15, 10 to 20, 20 to 50, less than 100, less than 50, less than 20, or less than 10 osmosis membrane elements 300 in the stack 480. In some embodiments, the stack 480 may include only one osmosis membrane element 300. The osmosis membrane elements 300 are sequentially stacked on each other along the longitudinal axis L of the osmosis module 400. The osmosis membrane elements 300 may be arranged in a head-to-foot orientation throughout the stack 480. For example, the foot plate of a first osmosis membrane element 300 may be fluidly connected to the head plate of an immediately adjacent osmosis membrane element 300. Each subsequent osmosis membrane element 300 may be arranged in a like manner until a final osmosis membrane element 300.

[0144] The osmosis membrane elements 300 may be fluidly connected by one or more fluid tight fluid tight connections between the ports on immediately adjacent osmosis membrane element foot plates and head plates. For example, the foot port corresponding to a draw inlet port of the membrane plate assemblies in the osmosis membrane element may be fluidly connected to the draw inlet port of a head plate corresponding to a draw of an immediately adjacent osmosis membrane element 300. Likewise, the foot port corresponding to a feed inlet port of the membrane plate assemblies in the osmosis membrane element may be fluidly connected to the feed inlet port of a head plate corresponding to the feed inlet ports of the membrane plate assemblies of an immediately adjacent osmosis membrane element 300. The same connection configuration for the respective draw outlet ports and the feed outlet ports of adjacent osmosis membrane elements be utilized. The above noted configuration allows the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements to be arranged and operated in parallel with respect to each other.

[0145] Adj acent head and foot plate ports may be fluidly connected by one or more gaskets, welds, adhesives, seals, unions, fittings, O-rings, or the like. For example, a plurality of gaskets may be disposed between each osmosis membrane element 300 in the stack 480. The gaskets are configured to fluidly seal a port in one osmosis membrane element 300 to a complementary port in an adjacent osmosis membrane element 300. The gaskets may include hygienic IDFunion gaskets. The connection between the osmosis membrane elements 300 may be made of any suitable material, such as a polymer (e.g., ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EDPM), a fluoroelastomer (e.g., VITON™), Buna-N), metal (e.g., alloy), ceramic or any other suitable material. The matenal may be selected to be resistant to bacterial growth, oxidation, reduction, or corrosion. The connection may be compression fit, press fit, interference fit, slip fit, or adhered in the ports of the head and foot plates.

[0146] The osmosis module 400 may include the first endplate 410 at a first end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements 300 (e.g., stack 480), a second endplate 420 at a second end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements 300, and one or more tension members 430 connected to the first endplate 410 and the second endplate 420.

[0147] The first endplate 410 and the second endplate 420 may be constructed of a material that is at least as strong or stronger than the head and foot plates of the osmosis membrane elements. The first endplate 410 and the second endplate 420 may be constructed of a metal, polymer, or ceramic. The endplates 410 and 420 may be constructed of stainless steel, tool steel, structural steel, aluminum, brass, cast iron, or the like. The endplates may be constructed of a polymer with a relatively strong material such as any of the polymers disclosed herein, with a greater thickness than the head and foot plates, or even stronger polymer such as a polyaramid, or a composite material (e.g., carbon fiber composite or fiberglass composite).

[0148] FIG. 8B is a front view of the osmosis module 400 taken along the longitudinal axis L of FIG. 8 A, according to an embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 8 A and 8B, the first and second endplates 410 and 420 may have larger outer dimensions than the osmosis membrane elements 300 or components therein (e.g., head plates, foot plates, and membrane plate assemblies). The larger out dimensions may be in the form of bump-outs as shown or may be in the form of dimensions that parallel the dimensions of the head plate, foot plate, or membrane plate assemblies in the stack 480 at a larger scale. The portions of the end plates 410 and 420 with larger outer dimensions than the osmosis membrane elements 300 may be located at or adjacent to one or more comers of the endplates 410 and 420. The larger outer dimensions allow the use of the tension members 430 without having to accommodate the tension members 430 in the structure of the membrane spacer plates, head plates, and foot plates of the osmosis membrane elements 300. For example, the endplates 410 and 420 may include apertures 429 therein for receiving the one or more tension members 430 and the apertures 429 may be located on the first and second endplates outside of the largest outer dimensions of the membrane plate assemblies, head plates, and foot plates of the osmosis membrane elements 300 therein. The apertures 429 may be located, sized, and shaped to allow the one or more tension members 430to slide therethrough, such as with a tension fit, a slip fit, in interference fit, a clearance fit, or a the like. For example, the one or more apertures 429 may be located in the same locations on the first and second endplates 410 and 420 to align with each other when the one or more tension members 430 are disposed therein.

[0149] The first endplate 410 and the second endplate 420 include a plurality of ports 412 thereon. The plurality of ports 412 apertures located, sized, and shaped to align with a feed inlet port, a draw inlet port, a feed outlet port, and a draw outlet port on the head plates and foot plates of the osmosis membrane elements 300. Such as configuration allows fluid to flow into and out of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements 300 through the first endplate 410 and second endplate 420. For example, the first endplate 410 may include ports 412 spaced inwardly from the one or more apertures 429. The one or more ports may include a first port 415 corresponding to a feed inlet port of the head plates and foot plates of the osmosis membrane elements 300, a second port 417 corresponding to a draw inlet port of the head plates and foot plates of the osmosis membrane elements 300, a third port 416 corresponding to the feed outlet port of the head plates and foot plates of the osmosis membrane elements 300, and a fourth port 418 corresponding to a draw outlet port of the head plates and foot plates of the osmosis membrane elements 300. Accordingly, the one or more ports 412 are configured to move fluids therethrough into the feed and draw sides of the osmosis membrane elements 300 in the osmosis module 400. It should be noted, that the ports do not necessarily have to have the order illustrated in FIG. 8B. Rather, the feed inlet, feed outlet, draw inlet, and draw outlet ports of the osmosis membrane elements 300 may be arranged in a different order and the ports 412 may be arranged in a corresponding configuration to direct fluid flows therethrough.

[0150] In some examples, not all of the ports 412 on the first and second endplates 410 and 420 need to be in use at all times, for example, one or more plugs 414 may be disposed in the ports 412 on the foot plate 410 and the head plate 515. For example, during operation, the ports 412 on the first endplate 410 corresponding to the draw outlet port and feed outlet port of the osmosis membrane elements 300 may have plugs 414 therein or thereover to prevent fluid flow through those ports 412. Similarly, the ports 412 on the second endplate 420 corresponding to the draw inlet port and feed inlet port of the osmosis membrane elements 300 may have plugs 414 therein or thereover to prevent fluid flow through those ports 412 from the second end. In some examples, all of the ports 412 on the first and second endplates 410 and 420 may be open and operably coupled (e.g., plumbed, fluidly sealed) to fluid supply (e.g., feed inlet, draw inlet) and fluid output lines (draw outlet, feed outlet), respectively.

[0151] The plurality of ports 412 may be sized and shaped to connect to fluid lines, such as commonly sized fluid lines (e.g., two inch fluid lines). Such standard sizing allows the osmosis (membrane) modules 400 to be easily connected to commonly available fluid lines. The ports 412 fluidly connected to the fluid inlet and fluid inlets lines of an osmosis system via endplate port fittings 425. The endplate port fittings 425 may be configured as hose fittings, threaded fittings, face sealed fittings, flare fittings, high pressure fittings, hydraulic fittings, couplings (e.g., quick disconnect couplings), angled fittings, flange fittings, unions, a manifold, or combinations of any of the foregoing.

[0152] The one or more tension members 430 may be disposed through the plate ports 412 (e.g., apertures) of the first endplate 410 and the second endplate 420. The one or more tension members 430 may include rods, cables, pins, dowels, or other linear members configured to be put in tension to prevent the osmosis membrane elements in the stack 480 from separating (e.g., put the stack 480 in compression) between the first endplate 410 and the second endplate 420. The one or more tension members 430 may include a smooth outer surface, a threaded outer surface, one or more recesses in the outer surface for use with retention rings, or combinations of the foregoing. The one or more tension members 430 may include a screw head on one end thereof, such as to prevent the tension member 430 from being able to completely through the endplate ports 412. The osmosis module 400 may include hardware to retain the position of the one or more tension members 430 with respect to the first endplate 410 and the second endplate 420. For example, hardware may include ring clamps, rod clamps, post clamps, shaft collars, or the like. Such hardware may be positioned and fixed on the one or more tension members at outer surfaces of one or more of the first endplate 410 and the second endplate 420.

[0153] The osmosis module 400 may include a static endplate 440 and compression member 450 disposed at an end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements, such as outside of the first or second endplate. The static endplate 440 be spaced from one or more of the first endplate 410 or second endplate 420 closest thereto by a selected distance. The static endplate 440 may be identical to the first endplate 410 or second endplate 420 in one or more aspects such as shape, ports 412, and ports 412. The osmosis module 400 may include the static endplate 440 disposed at the second end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements 300 outside of the second endplate 420, where the static endplate 440 may be identical to the second endplate 420.

[0154] The static endplate 440 is connected to the one or more tension members 430 at or near an end thereof. The static endplate 440 be used to apply a compressive force to the stack 480 biasing the first and second endplates 410 and 420 toward each other. Suitable compressionmembers 450 may include a mechanical jack, spreader, or press, such as a scissor jack, a screw jack, a small farm jack, a threaded rod and nut combination where the nut may be rotated to apply a force in the longitudinal direction of the threaded rod, or the like. Suitable compression members 450 may include a hydraulic jack, spreader, or press configured to expand against the static endplate 440 and the first endplate 410 or second endplate 420 spaced therefrom to apply compressive force between the first and second endplates 410 and 420.

[0155] The compression member 450 may be disposed between the second endplate 420 and the static endplate 440. The compression member 450 is configured to apply compressive force to the stack 480 and the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements 300 therein to prevent separation of the osmosis membrane elements 300 therein. Such a configuration maintains system integrity and prevents fluid leakage within the osmosis module 400.

[0156] The lower boundary of membrane spacer plates in the plurality of membrane plate assemblies of the stack 280 may be tilted negative 2 degrees to negative 8 degrees and the angle of incline a is 10 degrees or more. Accordingly, the angle of incline a may be maintained above 2 degrees even when the lower boundary of the membrane spacer plates are tilted in a negative direction.

[0157] FIG. 9A is a schematic of flow paths through a membrane plate assembly 200, according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9 A, the draw flow path 386 of draw fluid through membrane plate assembly 200 may be lateral and the feed flow path 388 may be substantially perpendicular (e.g., vertical) to the draw flow path 386. For example, as draw fluid enters the draw inlet 346 (e.g., draw inlet area of draw inlet manifold) it moves vertically through the draw inlet manifold and laterally through the membrane working area toward the draw outlet 348 along the draw flow path 386. Similarly, as feed fluid enters the feed inlet 342 it moves laterally through the feed inlet manifold and vertically through the membrane working area toward the feed outlet 344 along the feed flow path 388. As the feed fluid moves between the feed inlet 342 and the feed outlet 344, one or more of a solvent (e.g., water) or selected dissolved solutes passes through the membrane(s) toward the higher osmotic pressure of the draw fluid on the opposite side of the membrane. The feed stream becomes a concentrated feed fluid (e.g., stream) with a higher concentration of dissolved solutes (e.g., salts, alcohols, etc.) therein than the feed fluid. As the draw fluid passes through the membrane more solvent moves from the feed fluid to the draw fluid and the draw fluid becomes a diluted draw fluid having a lower concentration of draw solutes than the draw fluid.

[0158] FIG. 9B is an exploded schematic of an osmosis membrane element 300, according to an embodiment. As shown, the draw flow paths 386 and feed flow paths 388 through themembrane plate assemblies 200 in the osmosis membrane element 300 are substantially perpendicular to each other. As also shown, the feed fluid in the bulk feed input flow 352 may travel in a first direction (e.g., right to left) into the osmosis membrane element 300 where it travels into and through the feed inlets and feed inlet manifolds of the membrane plate assemblies 200 therein. As the feed fluid moves through the feed inlet manifolds and across the membrane working areas of the membrane plate assemblies in the feed flow path 388, solvent moves through the membrane from the feed fluid into the draw fluid to form a diluted draw fluid or solution and a concentrated feed fluid or solution. The concentrated feed fluid (e.g., stream or solution) travels to the feed outlet manifold and into the feed outlet where the concentrated feed fluid in the bulk feed output flow 354 travels in a second direction (e.g., left to right). In some examples, the second direction may be the same as the first direction (e.g., right to left).

[0159] The draw fluid in the bulk draw input flow 356 may travel in the first direction into the osmosis membrane element 300 where it travels into and through the draw inlets and draw inlet manifolds of the membrane plate assemblies 200 therein. As the draw fluid moves through the draw inlet manifolds and across the membrane working areas of the membrane plate assemblies 200 in the draw flow path 386, solvent moves through the membrane from the feed fluid into the draw fluid based on the osmotic pressure difference therebetween to form the diluted draw fluid. The diluted draw fluid (e.g., stream or solution) travels to the draw outlet manifold and into the draw outlet where the bulk draw output flow 358 travels in the second direction. In some examples, the second direction may be the same as the first direction.

[0160] As noted herein, the membrane plate assemblies 200 in the osmosis membrane elements 300 may be configured to run in parallel, such via fluid connections between like manifolds on the membrane plate assemblies 200 therein. According to the above and as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the osmosis membrane elements may be configured to run draw fluid and feed fluid through the membrane plate assemblies in parallel flows. Such fluid flows may be in a co-current flow configuration as shown, or may be in countercurrent flow (e.g., the feed fluid flows in the opposite direction of the draw fluid through the membrane plate assemblies).

[0161] The osmosis membrane elements 300 in the stack 480 may be configured to run in parallel flow with respect to each other, such as by having common fluid connections to like inlets and outlets between the osmosis membrane elements 300, respectively. The membrane plate assemblies in the osmosis membrane elements 300 may be fluidly connected (e.g., plumbed) to run in co-current or counter-current flow with respect to the flow directions of the feed fluid and draw fluid circulated therethrough. For example, the feed inlet fluid may travelthrough an osmosis membrane element 300 in a first direction from a first membrane plate assembly to a last membrane plate assembly and the draw fluid may flow through the osmosis membrane element 300 in the opposite direction from the last membrane plate assembly to the first membrane plate assembly to operate in counter-current flow.

[0162] FIG. 9C is a schematic of fluid flow through an osmosis module 400, according to an embodiment. The osmosis module 400 may be configured as a forward osmosis module. The osmosis module 400 includes a plurality of osmosis membrane elements 300 arranged in a stack. The stack of osmosis membrane elements 300 is arranged horizontally with each of the osmosis membrane elements 300 and membrane plate assemblies 200 in the osmosis membrane elements 300 in a vertical configuration (e g., the major axis of the membrane spacer plates therein extending vertically). The bulk feed input flow 352 and bulk draw input flow 356 enter the osmosis module 400 at the lowermost portions thereof as shown. The bulk feed output flow 354 and bulk draw output flow 358 exit the osmosis module 400 at the upper portions thereof as shown. Specifically, the bulk feed input flow 352 is below the bulk feed output flow 354 in the osmosis module 400 and the bulk draw input flow 356 is below the bulk draw output flow 358 in the osmosis module 400.

[0163] Each osmosis membrane element 300 may be configured to run in a parallel flow orientation with respect to the other osmosis membrane elements 300 in the osmosis (membrane) module 400. As explained above, the membrane plate assemblies in the osmosis membrane elements 300 may also be configured to operate in a parallel flow orientation with respect to the other membrane plate assemblies therein. While parallel flow orientations are preferred, in some examples, one or both of the osmosis membrane elements and membrane plate assemblies may be configured to run in series.

[0164] The osmosis membrane elements 300 may be configured (e.g., plumbed or connected) to run in co-current or counter-cunent flow with respect to the flow directions of the feed fluid and draw fluid therethrough. For example, the feed inlet fluid may travel through an osmosis membrane element 300 in a first direction from a membrane plate assembly to a last membrane plate assembly and the draw fluid may flow through the osmosis membrane module in the opposite direction from the last membrane plate assembly to the first membrane plate assembly to operate in countercurrent flow.

[0165] The membrane spacer plates, membrane plate assemblies, osmosis membrane elements, and membrane modules disclosed herein may be used in systems for osmotic separation of fluid components.

[0166] FIG. 10 is in isometric view of a system 500 for osmotic separation, according to an embodiment. The system 500 includes one or more osmosis modules 400 plumbed together, a feed solution supply line 510, a draw solution supply line 520, a feed solution outlet line 530 for outputting a concentrated feed solution, and a draw solution outlet line 540 for outputting a diluted draw solution. The system 500 may include one or more pumps 550 and one or more valves 560 for controlling fluid flow rates, fluid pressure, and operation of the system 500. The system 500 may include a controller 590 operably coupled to the one or more pumps 550 and one or more valves 560 to selectively control the fluid flow rates, fluid pressure, and operation of the system 500.

[0167] The one or more osmosis modules 400 may include a plurality of any of the osmosis modules disclosed herein, such as a plurality of forward osmosis modules. The system 500 may include at least 1 osmosis module 400, such as at least 2, 2 to 10, 3 to 6, 6 to 10, or less than 50, less than 25, or less than 10 osmosis modules. Each of the osmosis modules may include a feed inlet, a feed outlet, a draw inlet, and a draw outlet, such as on one or more end plates thereof as disclosed herein with respect to the osmosis module 400. The osmosis modules 400 may be plumbed together in parallel. For example, the feed fluid supply line 510 and draw fluid supply line 520 may be fluidly connected to the osmosis modules 400, in parallel, via connections from a manifold or direct connections thereto (e.g., via the feed inlet and draw inlet of the osmosis modules 400). Likewise, the feed fluid outlet line 530 and draw fluid outlet line 540 may be fluidly connected to the osmosis modules 400, in parallel, via connections from a manifold or direct connections thereto (e.g., via the feed outlet and draw outlet of the osmosis modules 400).

[0168] At least some of the one or more osmosis modules 400 may be plumbed together in stages or sets, such as at least 1 stage (2 stages to 20 stages), containing one or more osmosis membrane modules plumbed together in parallel. For example, the system 500 includes three stages each having three osmosis modules 400 plumbed together (e.g., fluidly connected) in parallel. In some examples, the plurality of sets may be plumbed together to run the bulk fluid flow of the feed stream and the draw stream in countercurrent flows (as depicted) or co-current flows through the stages. In the countercurrent flow configuration shown, the concentration of the feed stream increases as the fluid travels from the first stage (e.g., lower stage) to the third stage (e.g., upper stage) and the concentration of the draw stream drops as it travels from the third stage.

[0169] The feed solution supply line 510, the draw solution supply line 520, the feed solution outlet line 530, and the draw solution outlet line 540 include one or more fluid pipes,hoses, tubes, fittings, or other suitable fluid tight conduits for caring the feed and draw solutions (e.g., feed and draw fluid streams). The supply and outlet lines may be at least 3 / 4 inch (1.9 cm) fluid lines, 1 inch (2.5 cm), 1.5 inch (3.8 inch), 2 inch (5.1 cm) fluid lines, or the like. By using membrane spacer plates with relatively large inlet and outlet areas (e.g., about 2 inches), larger diameter fluid lines and connections may be utilized using standard 2 inch lines to produce a relatively high throughput. The feed solution supply line 510, draw solution supply line 520, the feed solution outlet line 530, and the draw solution outlet lines 540 may include one or more manifolds to which the one or more osmosis modules 400 may be fluidly connected.

[0170] The system may include one or more pumps 550 prior to or after the one or more osmosis modules 400. For example, one or more pumps 550 may be operably coupled to one or more of the feed solution supply line 510 or the draw solution supply line 520. Such pumps may be configured to control one or more of a pressure or flow rate of the feed solution or draw solution into and through the plurality of osmosis modules 400, respectively.

[0171] One or more valves 560 may be disposed between the one or more pumps 550 and the one or more osmosis modules 400. The one or more valves 560 are configured to allow, control, or terminate flow of draw solution or feed solution therethrough, such as via electrical signals from the controller 590 operably coupled thereto. For example, the one or more valves 560 may include solenoid valves, quarter turn valves, or other valves. In some examples, each of the one or more osmosis modules may include valves between the feed solution supply line 510, the draw solution supply line 520, the feed solution outlet line 530, the draw solution outlet line 540; and the inlets and / or outlets thereof. In such examples, the valves 560 may be selectively closed to prevent feed or draw fluid from entering selected ones of the one or more osmosis modules 400. For example, a feed solution supply line 510 may be connected to each osmosis module 400 in a plurality of osmosis modules and dunng cleaning, the one or more valves may be utilized to force the cleaning fluid through a selected number of osmosis modules 400, such as a single osmosis module. Such configurations are useful for increasing the pressure and fluid flow rate of a fluid through an osmosis module. The valves 560 may be selectively closed or open to direct or recirculate a feed or draw solution into one or more stages at a selected time, such as to recirculate a feed solution or draw solution through a stage one or more times, to output a concentrated feed solution from the system 500 or a stage therein through the feed solution outlet line 530, or output a diluted draw solution from the system 500 or a stage therein through the diluted draw solution outlet line 540.

[0172] One or more valves 560 may be disposed in fluid connections between the plurality of forward osmosis modules, the feed solution supply line, and the draw solution supply line. For example, one or more valves 560 may be disposed at junctions of any of the lines in the system 500.

[0173] The one or more osmosis modules 400 may be horizontally oriented in the system 500, with the osmosis membrane elements 300 therein being in a vertical orientation therein. In some examples, the one or more osmosis modules 400 may be tilted toward an outlet end thereof (e.g., the endplate where the feed and draw outlet flows exit the modules), such as by at least 2 degrees. In some examples, the one or more osmosis modules 400 may be tilted toward an inlet end thereof.

[0174] In some examples, the lower boundaries of the membrane plate assemblies in the osmosis membrane elements within the osmosis modules 400 may be horizontal and the angle of incline of the membrane bonding areas therein may be at least 2 degrees as disclosed herein. The membrane plate assemblies in the osmosis membrane elements within the osmosis modules 400 may be tilted in a direction away from the angle of incline of the membrane bonding areas therein. For example, the lower boundary of the spacer plates of the membrane plate assemblies in the osmosis modules 400 may be tilted at an angle opposite the angle of incline that is at least negative 2 degrees, where the angle of incline is greater than 4 degrees as disclosed herein. Such orientations allow the feed fluid and draw fluids to drain out of the feed side and draw side of the membrane plate assemblies, osmosis membrane elements, and osmosis modules 400 when the system is not in operation.

[0175] The controller 590 may be operably coupled to the one or more pumps 550, one or more valves 560, or other components of the system 500, via one or more hardwired or wireless connections. The controller may be configured to selectively control the hydrostatic pressure and flow rate of the fluid(s) flowing through the one or more pumps 550. Such control may be according to operational programs stored in a memory of the controller 590 and executed by a processor of the controller 590. For example, the operational programs may include preprogramed run times, hydrostatic pressures (or selected ranges thereof), flow rates (or selected ranges thereof), or other parameters of the feed solutions and draw solutions in the system 500.

[0176] The system 500 may include a feed solution source 570 operably coupled to the feed solution supply line 510. The feed solution source 570 may include a fluid supply tank, fluid line, or the like. For example, the feed solution source 570 may include a feed solution tank or feed input line containing a beverage (e.g., a juice, coffee, milk, beer, wine), a foodstuff, salt water, brackish water, gray water, process water, wastewater, or the like. Water in the feedsolution may be removed to form a concentrated feed solution. The system 500 may include a draw solution source 580 operably coupled to the draw solution supply line 520. The draw solution source 580 may include a draw solution tank or draw input line containing a draw solution such as a solution containing one or more solutes therein. The one or more solutes in the draw solution may be dissolved to provide a relatively higher osmotic pressure therein than the feed solution. Suitable solutes may include one or more salts, one or more sugars, one or more alcohols, or the like.

[0177] The system 500 may be disposed on one or more frames, the frames may include racks, shelves, or other framework for holding the osmosis modules 400 in a substantially horizontal configuration and for holding the other components of the system 500 thereon. For example, the system 500 may include a plurality of racks in a horizontal configuration for holding the osmosis modules 400 in a substantially horizontal configuration. The one or more frames may be configured as one or more skids for holding a discrete number of the osmosis modules 400, pumps 550, and other components of the system 500. For example, the system 500 may include one or more skids having one or more forward osmosis membrane modules are arranged thereon.

[0178] The osmosis modules 400 may be disposed in rows and columns on the frame(s). For example, osmosis modules 400 may be arranged 1 to 5 modules high and 1 to 5 modules wide. A first frame may hold one or more osmosis modules, such as 3 modules in a single column (1 wide), and a plurality of pumps. In some examples, a separate frame may hold at least some of the one or more osmosis modules 400. For example, a second frame may hold six osmosis modules arranged 3 high and 2 wide. Suitable fluid connections to the pumps, feed solution supply line, draw solution supply line, feed solution outlet line, and draw solution outlet line on the first frame may provide fluid communication therebetween.

[0179] The spacer plates, membrane plate assemblies, osmosis membrane elements, osmosis modules, and systems disclosed herein may be used removing one or more solvents from a feed solution. Examples of techniques and equipment for use in separating one or more solvents from a feed solution are described in PCT Application No. PCT / US2015 / 0044277, filed on August 7, 2015; PCT Application No. PCT / US2016 / 039377, filed on June 24, 2016; PCT Application No. PCT / US2017 / 068345, filed on December 22, 2017; PCT Application No. PCT / US2016 / 049747, filed on August 31, 2016; and PCT Application No. PCT / US2023 / 061299, filed on January 25, 2023, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, for any purpose, by this reference.

[0180] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a method 600 for removing solvent from a feed solution, according to an embodiment. The method 600 includes a first act 610 of circulating a feed solution through a feed side of at least one forward osmosis module, and a second act 620 of circulating a draw solution through a draw side of the forward osmosis module effective to remove one or more solutes from the feed solution to produce a concentrated feed solution and a diluted draw solution. The method 600 may include more of fewer acts. For example, the acts 610 and 620 may be combined into a single act or may be separated into multiple acts, respectively. In some examples additional acts may be included in the method 600, such as before, between, or after the acts 610 and 620.

[0181] The act 610 of circulating a feed solution through a feed side of at least one forward osmosis module may include using any of the spacer plates, membrane plate assemblies, osmosis membrane elements, osmosis modules, and systems disclosed herein. For example, the at least one forward osmosis module may include a plurality of membrane plate assemblies arranged in a stack. The plurality of membrane plate assemblies may be disposed in a plurality of osmosis membrane elements arranged in a stack as disclosed herein, with each osmosis membrane element containing a plurality of membrane plate assemblies in a stack, as disclosed herein. The spacer plate of a membrane plate assembly may include a plate body including an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary. The plate body further including, a first side having, a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary; and a first plate bonding area. The plate body further including a second side opposite the first side, the second side having, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second plate bonding area. The membrane plate assemblies include a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area and a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area. The plurality of membrane plate assemblies in the stack are arranged in an alternating orientation with each membrane plate assembly being rotated 180 degrees with respect to immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies.

[0182] The spacer plate and membranes thereon form a first working area on the first side defined between the first plate bonding area and the first membrane and a second working area on the second side between the second plate bonding area and the second membrane. The draw side is defined between an inside surface of the first membrane and an inside surface of thesecond membrane. The draw side of a membrane plate assembly is connected to the draw side of adjacent membrane plate assemblies via the draw inlet manifold and the draw outlet manifold. The feed side is defined between the first membrane of a first membrane plate assembly and the second membrane of an immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly (e.g., flow between adjacent plates). The feed side of a membrane plate assembly is connected to the feed side of adjacent membrane plate assemblies via the feed inlet manifold and the feed outlet manifold. Based on the foregoing, the draw side and feed side are separated by the membranes and the solvents in the feed solution may be removed therefrom into the draw solution via osmosis.

[0183] The feed solution (e.g., feed stream, feed flow, feed fluid) may include any of the feed solutions disclosed herein, such as a beverage (e.g., juice, beer, wine, spirit, coffee, vinegar, milk, extract), salt water, brackish water, municipal water, gray water, process water, wastewater, or the like. In some examples, the feed solution may include a gas stream, such as air, steam, process gas streams, or the like for membrane processing. In some examples, the solvent to be removed in the feed solution includes water.

[0184] Circulating a feed solution through a feed side of at least one forward osmosis module may include circulating the feed solution therethrough at one or more of a selected flow rate, pressure, or temperature. Suitable flow rates for the feed fluid may be at least 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm), such as 0.5 gpm (0.00003 m3 / s) to 20 gpm (0.0013 m3 / s), 0.5 gpm to 10 gpm (0.0006 m3 / s), 5 gpm (0.0003 m3 / s) to 15 gpm (0.0009 m3 / s), 10 gpm to 15 gpm, 10 gpm to 20 gpm, less than 20 gpm, or less than 15 gpm. Suitable (hydrostatic) pressures for the feed fluid in the osmosis module may include at least 5 psi (34.5 KPa), such as 5 psi to 25 psi (172.4 KPa), 5 psi to 15 psi (103.4 KPa), 10 psi (68.9 KPa) to 20 psi (137.9 KPa), 15 psi to 25 psi, less than 25 psi, or less than 20 psi.

[0185] The act 620 of circulating a draw solution through a draw side of the forward osmosis module effective to remove one or more solutes from the feed solution to produce a concentrated feed solution and a diluted draw solution may include circulating the draw solution through any of the membrane plate assemblies, osmosis membrane elements, or osmosis modules disclosed herein. The at least one forward osmosis module may include the plurality of forward osmosis modules described above with respect to the first act 610.

[0186] The draw solution may include any of the draw' solutions disclosed herein, such as a salt solution, a mixture of solvents (e.g., water, alcohol where the alcohol (minor solvent) therein is considered a draw solute), or the like. Suitable solutes for the draw solution may include sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, ethanol, glycerol, or the like. Suitable flow ratesfor the draw fluid may be at least 0.5 gpm, such as 0.5 gpm to 20 gpm, 0.5 gpm to 10 gpm to 15 gpm, 10 gpm to 15 gpm, 10 gpm to 20 gpm, less than 20 gm, or less than 15 gpm. Suitable (hydrostatic) pressures for the draw solution in the at least one (forward) osmosis module may be at least 1 psi (6.9 KPa) less than the pressure of the feed solution, such as at least 2 psi (13.8 KPa) less, or 2 psi to 10 psi (68.9 KPa) less than the pressure of the feed solution.

[0187] Circulating the feed solution through the feed side of the at least one forward osmosis module and circulating the draw solution through the draw side of the at least one forw ard osmosis module includes circulating the draw solution and feed solution through the plurality of membrane plate assemblies in a parallel flow configuration. Circulating the feed solution through the feed side of the at least one forward osmosis module and circulating the draw solution through the draw' side of the at least one forward osmosis module may include circulating the draw solution and feed solution in substantially perpendicular flow paths. Circulating the feed solution through the feed side of the at least one forward osmosis module and circulating the draw solution through the draw side of the at least one forward osmosis module may include circulating the draw solution and feed solution through the plurality of osmosis membrane elements or plurality of forward osmosis modules in a parallel flow configuration.

[0188] The method 600 may include outputting the concentrated feed solution from the at least one forward osmosis module. For example, the concentrated feed solution may be output via a feed output line. The feed output line may be connected to a concentrated feed solution vessel or outlet (e.g., hose, pipe). The concentrated feed solution may be retained as a product, such as a concentrated beverage, food, pharmaceutical composition, or the like. For example, the concentrated feed solution may include a concentrated beer, wine,juice, coffee, or the like, and the concentrated feed solution may be packaged for transport, sale, or use. The concentrated feed solution may be at least partially reconstituted at a point of use, such as by addition of the solvent(s) (e.g., water) removed therefrom. The concentrated feed solution may be a concentrated process stream, such as a soap concentrate, which is reused within the facility. In another example, the concentrated feed solution may be a wastewater concentrate that may be disposed of as-is or after additional treatment steps, such as membrane bioreactor.

[0189] In some examples, the (diluted) draw stream may be retained as the product or may be further processed to separate the solvent therefrom. For example, the diluted draw stream may be further processed using on or more of distillation, thermal evaporation, reverse osmosis, low rejection reverse osmosis (e.g., reverse osmosis with a solute rejection rate of less than 90%), or the like. In some examples, the diluted draw stream may be directed to a reverseosmosis module to remove water therefrom, and the permeate from the reverse osmosis may be treated with distillation and / or reverse osmosis to further remove water from draw solutes in the draw solution to produce substantially pure water (e.g., water containing less than 0.1% draw solute(s)).

[0190] The method 600 may include at least partially regenerating the draw solution from the diluted draw solution. At least partially regenerating the draw solution from the diluted draw solution may include removing at least some of the solvent (e.g., water) from the diluted draw solution. Such removal may be accomplished via reverse osmosis, distillation, thermal evaporation, forward osmosis, or any other fluid separation technique. For example, the diluted draw solution may be processed via reverse osmosis to remove the water from the feed solution therein. The reverse osmosis reject may be retained and used as at least a portion of the draw stream, such as by directed the reverse osmosis reject to the draw solution input of the at least one forward osmosis module. The reverse osmosis reject may be combined with one or more solvents or draw solution components to reconstitute the draw solution. Suitable examples of processing (e.g., regenerating) techniques for the diluted draw stream are described in PCT Application Number PCT / US2014 / 029227, filed on March 14, 2014; PCT Application Number PCT / US2014 / 0293332, filed on March 14, 2014; PCT Application Number PCT / US2019 / 042692, filed on July 19, 2019, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, for any purpose, by this reference.

[0191] The method 600 may include draining the feed solution and draw solution from the at least one forward osmosis module via a draw inlet port and a feed inlet port thereof. Due at least in part to the angle of incline a of the plate bonding areas, the low point of the draw side and feed side of the membrane plate assemblies in the membrane elements disclosed herein are in the inlet manifolds (e.g., feed inlet manifold and draw inlet manifold). Upon opening the draw inlet port and feed inlet port, the feed solution and draw solutions may drain from the membrane plate assemblies via the ports.

[0192] The method 600 may include cleaning the membrane plate assemblies, osmosis membrane elements, or osmosis modules. For example, the method 600 may include cleaning the feed side and the draw side by pumping cleaning fluid through the feed side and the draw side at one or both of a cleaning pressure or flow rate that is higher than a pressure or flow rate used for circulating the feed solution and the draw solution. For example, cleaning the feed side and the draw side by pumping cleaning fluid through the feed side and the draw side may be at a cleaning pressure or flow rate that is at least 1.5 times higher than a pressure or flow rate used for circulating the feed solution and the draw solution, 1.5 times to 2 times, 1.75 timesto 2.25 times, or at least two times higher than a pressure or flow rate used for circulating the feed solution and the draw solution. The cleaning fluid flow rate may be at least 20 gpm, such as 20 gpm to 50 gpm, 20 gpm to 30 gpm, 25 gpm to 35 gpm, 30 gpm to 40 gpm, or less than 40 gpm. In some examples, cleaning the membrane plate assemblies may include circulating the cleaning fluid through the feed side and draw side in the same direction or a direction opposite the direction of the feed fluid flow or draw fluid flow. Suitable cleaning fluids may include water, a detergent, a soap, an acid solution (e.g., hydrochloric acid), a basic solution (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide), or the like. For example, suitable cleaning fluids may include SHEAR 250 (available from SHEPARD BROS. INC. of La Habra, California), ULTRASIL™ 91 (available from ECOLAB INC. of Minneapolis, Minnesota), or DIVOS 123 (available from DIVERSEY UK of Northampton, United Kingdom), or the like.

[0193] In some examples, cleaning the membrane plate assemblies, osmosis membrane elements, or osmosis modules may include closing valves to one or more osmosis modules to direct flow of cleaning fluid through less than a full set of osmosis modules, such as directing flow of cleaning fluid through a single osmosis module or two osmosis modules. Such selective valve closures may be utilized to clean all the osmosis modules in a set of osmosis modules of a system.

[0194] The method 600 may be simplified into a single act, such as circulating the feed solution and draw solution, in separate flow paths, through an FO module having membranes and membrane work areas that are at an oblique angle on the membrane spacer plates to remove one or more solvents from the feed solution through the membrane via osmotic pressure created by the draw solution to produce a concentrated feed solution and a diluted draw solution. The membrane spacer plates are identical to each other and are rotated 180 degrees with respect to the immediately adjacent membrane spacer plates. Such a method may include in portions of the method 600 disclosed herein.

[0195] As used herein, the term “about” or “substantially” refers to an allowable variance of the term modified by “about” by ±10% or ±5%. Further, the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than”, “more than,” or “or more” include as an endpoint, the value that is modified by the terms “less than,” “or less,” “greater than,” “more than,” or “or more.”

[0196] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, the words “including,” “having,” and variants thereof (e.g., “includes” and “has”) as used herein,including the claims, shall be open ended and have the same meaning as the word “comprising” and variants thereof (e.g., “comprise” and “comprises”).

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A membrane spacer plate, comprising: a plate body having an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary, the plate body including, a first side including, a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary; and a first plate bonding area; a second side opposite the first side, the second side including, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second plate bonding area.

2. The membrane spacer plate of claim 1 wherein: the first membrane bonding area defines a first membrane working area therein and the first membrane bonding area is vertically spaced from the first membrane working area; and the second membrane bonding area defines a second membrane working area therein and the second membrane bonding area is vertically spaced from the second membrane working area.

3. The membrane spacer plate of claim 2 wherein the first membrane bonding area and the second membrane bonding area includes one or more membrane protrusions extending therefrom.

4. The membrane spacer plate of claim 3 wherein the one or more membrane protrusions extend from the first membrane bonding area and the second membrane bonding area a distance between about 0.025 mm and 1.5 mm.

5. The membrane spacer plate of claim 1 wherein one or more of the first membrane bonding area or the second membrane bonding area include a trough disposed therearound.

6. The membrane spacer plate of claim 1 wherein: the first side includes, a first draw inlet manifold having a triangular shape;a first draw outlet manifold having a triangular shape; a first feed inlet manifold having a triangular shape; and a first feed outlet manifold having a triangular shape; the second side includes, a second draw inlet manifold having a triangular shape; a second draw outlet manifold having a triangular shape; a second feed inlet manifold having a triangular shape; and a second feed outlet manifold having a triangular shape.

7. The membrane spacer plate of claim 6 wherein: the first draw inlet manifold and the first draw outlet manifold is formed between an outermost portion of the first plate bonding area and separate innermost portions of the first plate bonding area adjacent thereto, respectively; and the second draw inlet manifold and the second draw outlet manifold is formed between an outermost portion of the second plate bonding area and separate innermost portions of the second plate bonding area adjacent thereto, respectively.

8. The membrane spacer plate of claim 7 wherein: the first draw inlet manifold is larger than the second draw inlet manifold; and the second draw outlet manifold is larger than the first draw outlet manifold.

9. The membrane spacer plate of claim 6 wherein: the first membrane bonding area defines a first membrane working area therein; the second membrane bonding area defines a second membrane working area therein; the first draw inlet manifold and the first draw outlet manifold are in fluid communication with the first membrane working area; and the second draw inlet manifold and the second draw outlet manifold are in fluid communication with the second membrane working area.

10. The membrane spacer plate of claim 6 wherein: a widest portion of the first draw inlet manifold is configured as a draw inlet port on the first side; a widest portion of the first draw outlet manifold is configured as a draw outlet port on the first side; a widest portion of the first feed inlet manifold is configured as a feed inlet port on the first side; and a widest portion of the first feed outlet manifold is configured as a feed outlet port on the first side;a widest portion of the second draw inlet manifold is configured as a draw inlet port on the second side; a widest portion of the second draw outlet manifold is configured as a draw outlet port on the second side; a widest portion of the second feed inlet manifold is configured as a feed inlet port on the second side; and a widest portion of the second feed outlet manifold is configured as a feed outlet port on the second side.

11. The membrane spacer plate of claim 6 wherein: the first plate bonding area is spaced inwardly from the outer edge; the first draw inlet manifold, the first draw outlet manifold, the first feed inlet manifold, and the first feed outlet manifold are disposed within an outermost portion of the first plate bonding area; the second plate bonding area is spaced inwardly from the outer edge; the second draw inlet manifold, the second draw outlet manifold, the second feed inlet manifold, and the second feed outlet manifold are disposed within an outermost portion of the second plate bonding area.

12. The membrane spacer plate of claim 1 wherein the first plate bonding area includes a groove configuration and the second plate bonding area includes a tongue configuration sized and shaped to fit in the groove configuration.

13. The membrane spacer plate of claim 1 wherein the first plate bonding area includes one or more plate bonding protrusions extending vertically therefrom a distance between 0.025 mm and 1.5 mm.

14. The membrane spacer plate of claim 1 wherein the first membrane bonding area has at least a two degree angle of incline with respect to the lower boundary.

15. The membrane spacer plate of claim 1 wherein the first membrane bonding area has at least a six degree angle of incline with respect to the lower boundary.

16. The membrane spacer plate of claim 1 further comprising one or more first touch members extending vertically from the first side wherein the one or more first touch members are arranged on the plate body at an oblique angle with respect to the lower boundary.

17. The membrane spacer plate of claim 16 further comprising one or more second touch members extending vertically from the second side, wherein the one or more second touch members are arranged on the plate body at an oblique angle with respect to the lower boundary, and wherein the one or more second touch members are located on the second sideeffective to contact the one or more first touch members on an adjacent membrane spacer plate at a substantially perpendicular angle when the adjacent membrane spacer plate is rotated 180 degrees in plane.

18. A membrane plate assembly, comprising: a membrane spacer plate, including, a plate body having an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary, the plate body having, a first side including, a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary; and a first plate bonding area; a second side opposite the first side, the second side including, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second plate bonding area; a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area; and a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area.

19. The membrane plate assembly of claim 18 wherein: the first side includes, a first draw inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; a first draw outlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; a first feed inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; and a first feed outlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; the second side includes, a second draw inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; a second draw outlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; a second feed inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; and a second feed outlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape.

20. The membrane plate assembly of claim 19 wherein: the first draw inlet manifold and the first draw outlet manifold is formed between an outermost portion of the first plate bonding area and separate innermost portions of the first plate bonding area adjacent thereto, respectively; andthe second draw inlet manifold and the second draw outlet manifold is formed between an outermost portion of the second plate bonding area and separate innermost portions of the second plate bonding area adjacent thereto, respectively.

21. The membrane plate assembly of claim 20 wherein: the first membrane bonding area defines a first membrane working area between the first side therein and the first osmosis membrane; the first draw inlet manifold and the first draw outlet manifold are fluidly connected to the first membrane working area and an inside surface of the first osmosis membrane; the second membrane bonding area defines a second membrane working area between the second side therein and the second osmosis membrane; and the second draw inlet manifold and the second draw outlet manifold is fluidly connected to the second membrane working area and an inside surface of the second osmosis membrane.

22. The membrane plate assembly of claim 21 wherein: the first feed inlet manifold and the first feed outlet manifold are in fluid communication with an outside surface of the first osmosis membrane; and the second feed inlet manifold and the second feed outlet manifold are in fluid communication with an outside surface of the second osmosis membrane.

23. The membrane plate assembly of claim 18 wherein the first plate bonding area includes a groove configuration and the second plate bonding area includes a tongue configuration sized and shaped to fit in the groove configuration.

24. The membrane plate assembly of claim 18 wherein the first membrane bonding area has at least a two degree angle of incline with respect to the lower boundary.

25. The membrane plate assembly of claim 18 further comprising: one or more first touch members extending vertically from the first side wherein the one or more first touch members are arranged on the plate body at an oblique angle with respect to the lower boundary; and one or more touch second members extending vertically from the second side wherein the one or more second touch members are arranged on the plate body at an oblique angle with respect to the lower boundary, and wherein the one or more second touch members are located on the second side effective to contact the one or more first touch members on an adjacent membrane spacer plate at a substantially perpendicular angle when the adjacent membrane spacer plate is rotated 180 degrees in plane.

26. An osmosis membrane element, comprising:a plurality of membrane plate assemblies arranged in a stack, the plurality of membrane plate assemblies including, a membrane spacer plate having, a plate body having an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary, the plate body having, a first side including, a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary; and a first plate bonding area; a second side opposite the first side, the second side including, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second plate bonding area; a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area; and a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area; wherein the membrane plate assemblies in the stack are arranged in an alternating orientation with each membrane plate assembly being rotated 180 degrees with respect to immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies; a foot plate disposed below a bottom most membrane plate assembly; and a head plate disposed on top of an uppermost membrane plate assembly.

27. The osmosis membrane element of claim 26 wherein the first osmosis membrane and the second osmosis membrane are forward osmosis membranes configured to selectively allow water to flow therethrough and to prevent one or more solutes from passing therethrough.

28. The osmosis membrane element of claim 26 wherein the head plate and the foot plate include: a plurality of ports positioned to fluidly communicate with one or more of a feed inlet, a feed outlet, a draw inlet, or a draw outlet of the membrane plate assemblies; and one or more alignment slots configured to align the head plate with an adjacent osmosis membrane module foot plate.

29. The osmosis membrane element of claim 28 wherein:a first port corresponding to the feed inlet is a lowest port on the foot plate and head plate; and a second port corresponding to the feed outlet is a highest port on the foot plate and the head plate; and a third port corresponding to the draw inlet is below a fourth port corresponding to the draw outlet on the foot plate and head plate.

30. The osmosis membrane element of claim 26 wherein: each membrane spacer plate include an alignment aperture and a pick-up aperture on each comer thereof; and the head plate and the foot plate include a plate alignment aperture and a plate pick-up aperture on each comer thereof, the plate alignment aperture and the plate pick-up aperture corresponding to locations of the alignment apertures and the pick-up apertures of membrane spacer plate.

31. The osmosis membrane element of claim 26 wherein an inside surface of the head plate includes a recessed area corresponding to a size and location of the first membrane or the second membrane and an inside surface of the foot plate includes a recessed area corresponding to the size and location of the other of the first membrane or the second membrane, wherein the recessed areas allow fluid to flow between the recessed areas and first membrane or the second membrane, respectively.

32. The osmosis membrane element of claim 26 wherein the stack includes 2 to 50 membrane plate assemblies.

33. The osmosis membrane element of claim 26 wherein the plurality of membrane plate assemblies in the stack are configured to operate in parallel flow.

34. The osmosis membrane element of claim 26 wherein the membrane plate assemblies are configured to direct flow of a feed stream substantially perpendicular to flow of a draw stream.

35. The osmosis membrane element of claim 26 wherein the membrane plate assemblies are configured to direct flow of a feed stream outside of the first and second osmosis membranes and direct flow of a draw stream between the first osmosis membrane and the first side and between the second osmosis membrane and the second side.

36. The osmosis membrane element of claim 26 wherein the lower boundary of the membrane spacer plate in the plurality of membrane plate assemblies is tilted by negative 2 degrees to negative 8 degrees and the angle of incline is two degrees or more.

37. A forward osmosis module, comprising:at least one set of osmosis membrane elements arranged in a stack, each osmosis membrane element of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements including, a plurality of membrane plate assemblies arranged in a stack, the plurality of membrane plate assemblies including, a membrane spacer plate having, a plate body having an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary, the plate body having, a first side including, a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary; and a first plate bonding area; a second side opposite the first side, the second side including, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second plate bonding area; a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area; a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area; wherein the plurality of membrane plate assemblies in the stack are arranged in an alternating orientation with each membrane plate assembly being rotated 180 degrees with respect to immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies; a foot plate disposed below a bottommost membrane plate assembly; and a head plate disposed on top of an uppermost membrane plate assembly; a first endplate at a first end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements; a second endplate at a second end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements; one or more tension members connected to the first endplate and the second endplate.

38. The forward osmosis module of claim 37 wherein the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements are arranged in parallel with respect to each other.

39. The forward osmosis module of claim 37 wherein the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements includes 1 to 10 osmosis membrane elements.

40. The forward osmosis module of claim 37 further comprising a plurality of gaskets disposed between each osmosis membrane element in the stack, wherein each gasket of the plurality of gaskets is configured to fluidly seal a port in one osmosis membrane element to a complementary port in an adjacent osmosis membrane element.

41. The forward osmosis module of claim 40 wherein the plurality of gaskets includes International Dairy Federation union gaskets.

42. The forward osmosis module of claim 40 wherein the first endplate and the second endplate include a plurality of ports thereon, the plurality of ports aligning with a feed inlet port, a draw inlet port, a feed outlet port, and a draw outlet port on the head plates and foot plates effective to allow fluid to flow into and out of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements through the first endplate and second endplate.

43. The forw ard osmosis module of claim 42 wherein the plurality of ports are sized and shaped to connect to two inch fluid lines.

44. The forward osmosis module of claim 42 wherein: the first and second endplates have outer dimensions that are larger than largest outer dimensions of the plurality of membrane plate assemblies, head plate, and foot plate; and the first and second endplates include apertures for receiving the one or more tension members, the apertures being located on the first and second endplates outside of the largest outer dimensions of the membrane plate assembly, head plate, and foot plate.

45. The forward osmosis module of claim 44 wherein the one or more tension members include rods.

46. The forward osmosis module of claim 44 further comprising a static endplate disposed at the second end of the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements outside of the second endplate, wherein the static endplate is identical to the second endplate and is connected to the one or more tension members.

47. The forward osmosis module of claim 46 further comprising a compression member disposed between the second endplate and the static endplate, wherein the compression member is configured to apply compressive force to the at least one set of osmosis membrane elements arrange in the stack.

48. The forward osmosis module of claim 37 wherein the lower boundary of the membrane spacer plate in the plurality of membrane plate assemblies is tilted negative 2 degrees to negative 8 degrees and the angle of incline is two degrees or more.

49. A system for osmotic separation, the system comprising:a plurality of forward osmosis modules according to claim 37 plumbed together in parallel, the plurality of forward osmosis modules including a feed inlet, a feed outlet, a draw inlet, and a draw outlet; a feed solution supply line operably coupled to the feed inlet; a draw solution supply line operably coupled to the draw inlet; a feed solution outlet line operably coupled to the feed outlet; and a draw solution outlet line operably coupled to the draw outlet.

50. The system of claim 49 further comprising one or more pumps operably coupled to one or more of the feed solution supply line or the draw solution supply line and configured to control one or more of a pressure or flow rate of a feed solution or a draw solution through the plurality of forward osmosis modules.

51. The system of claim 50, further comprising a controller operably coupled to the one or more pumps, the controller configured to selectively control the pressure and flow rate of the one or more pumps.

52. The system of claim 49 further comprising: a feed solution source operably coupled to the feed solution supply line of the plurality of forward osmosis modules; a draw solution source operably coupled to the draw solution supply line of the plurality of forward osmosis modules.

53. The system of claim 49 wherein the plurality of forward osmosis modules are arranged on at least one skid.

54. The system of claim 49 further comprising one or more valves disposed in fluid connections between the plurality of forward osmosis modules, the feed solution supply line, and the draw solution supply line, wherein the one or more valves are configured to allow, control, or terminate flow of draw solution or feed solution therethrough.

55. A method of removing solvent from a feed solution, the method comprising: circulating a feed solution through a feed side of at least one forward osmosis module, the at least one forward osmosis module including a plurality of membrane plate assemblies arranged in a stack, the plurality of membrane plate assemblies including, a membrane spacer plate having a plate body including an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary, the plate body including, a first side having,a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary; and a first plate bonding area; a second side opposite the first side, the second side having, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second plate bonding area; a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area; a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area; wherein the plurality of membrane plate assemblies in the stack are arranged in an alternating orientation with each membrane plate assembly being rotated 180 degrees with respect to immediately adjacent membrane plate assemblies; and circulating a draw solution through a draw side of the at least one forward osmosis module effective to remove one or more solutes from the feed solution to produce a concentrated feed solution and a diluted draw solution.

56. The method of claim 55 wherein the draw side includes: a first working area on the first side defined between the first plate bonding area and the first membrane; and a second working area on the second side between the second plate bonding area and the second membrane.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein the feed side is defined between the first membrane of a first membrane plate assembly and the second membrane of an immediately adjacent membrane plate assembly.

58. The method of claim 55 wherein circulating the feed solution through the feed side of the at least one forward osmosis module and circulating the draw solution through the draw side of the at least one forward osmosis module includes circulating the draw solution and feed solution in substantially perpendicular flow paths.

59. The method of claim 55 wherein circulating the feed solution through the feed side of the at least one forw ard osmosis module and circulating the draw solution through the draw side of the at least one forward osmosis module includes circulating the draw solution and feed solution through the plurality of membrane plate assemblies in a parallel flow configuration.

60. The method of claim 55 wherein: the plurality of membrane plate assemblies are arranged in a plurality of osmosis membrane elements; and circulating the feed solution through the feed side of the at least one forward osmosis module and circulating the draw solution through the draw side of the at least one forward osmosis module includes circulating the draw solution and feed solution through the plurality of osmosis membrane elements in a parallel flow configuration.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein: the at least one forward osmosis module includes a plurality of forward osmosis modules; and circulating the feed solution through the feed side of the at least one forward osmosis module and circulating the draw solution through the draw side of the at least one forward osmosis module includes circulating the draw solution and feed solution through the plurality of forward osmosis modules in a parallel flow configuration.

62. The method of claim 55 wherein the solvent includes water.

63. The method of claim 55 further comprising cleaning the feed side and the draw side by pumping cleaning fluid through the feed side and the draw side at a cleaning pressure that is at least two times higher than a pressure used for circulating the feed solution and the draw solution.

64. The method of claim 55 further comprising outputting the concentrated feed solution from the at least one forward osmosis module.

65. The method of claim 55 further comprising at least partially regenerating the draw solution from the diluted draw solution.

66. The method of claim 55 further comprising draining the feed solution and draw solution from the at least one forward osmosis module via a draw inlet port and a feed inlet port thereof.

67. A membrane spacer plate, comprising: a plate body having an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary, the plate body including, a first side including, a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline oblique with respect to the lower boundary; a first plate bonding area; anda second side opposite the first side, the second side including, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second plate bonding area.

68. A membrane spacer plate, comprising: a plate body having a substantially planar configuration and an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary, the plate body including, a first side including, a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline oblique with respect to the lower boundary; a first plate bonding area; a first draw inlet manifold having a triangular shape; a first draw outlet manifold having a triangular shape; a first feed inlet manifold having a triangular shape; and a first feed outlet manifold having a triangular shape; a second side opposite the first side, the second side including, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; a second plate bonding area; a second draw inlet manifold having a triangular shape; a second draw outlet manifold having a triangular shape; a second feed inlet manifold having a triangular shape; and a second feed outlet manifold having a triangular shape.

69. A membrane plate assembly, comprising: a membrane spacer plate, including, a plate body having an outer edge with a substantially flat upper boundary and a substantially flat lower boundary, the plate body having, a first side including,a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique to the lower boundary; and a first plate bonding area; a first draw inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; a first feed inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; and a second side opposite the first side, the second side including, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second plate bonding area; a second draw inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; a second feed inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; and a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area; a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area; and a membrane flow path between the first osmosis membrane and the second osmosis membrane; wherein the membrane flow path has an impedance that is at least 5 times higher than an impedance one or more of first draw inlet manifold, the first feed inlet manifold, the second draw inlet manifold, or the second feed inlet manifold.

70. A membrane plate assembly, comprising: a membrane spacer plate, including, a plate body having a first side and a second side; the first side including, a first membrane bonding area spaced inwardly from an outer edge of the plate body, the first membrane bonding area having an angle of incline that is oblique the outer edge; and a first draw inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape;a first feed inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; and the second side including, a second membrane bonding area generally parallel to the first membrane bonding area, wherein the second membrane bonding area is laterally shifted along the angle of incline with respect to the first membrane bonding area; and a second draw inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; a second feed inlet manifold having a substantially triangular shape; a first osmosis membrane bonded to the first membrane bonding area; a second osmosis membrane bonded to the second membrane bonding area; and a membrane flow path between the first osmosis membrane and the second osmosis membrane; wherein the membrane flow path has an impedance that is at least 5 times higher than an impedance one or more of first draw inlet manifold, the first feed inlet manifold, the second draw inlet manifold, or the second feed inlet manifold.

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