DE2631985

Apparatus for diffusing matter between two fluids is disclosed, including a stacked configuration of alternating spacing plates and pairs of semi-permeable membranes, the spacing plates including flow passages for each of the fluids so that they can be passed between the pairs of semi-permeable membranes and between the spacing plates and the pairs of membranes, respectively, first and second clamping plates, and means for clamping the first clamping plate to the second clamping plate with the stacked configuration pressed therebetween. Specifically, in the improvements of this apparatus which is disclosed, the first clamping plate includes a pair of laterally extending side walls including first and second side wall sections and an intermediate side wall section between them, where the second side wall section is displaced outwardly with respect to the first side wall section and the intermediate side wall section obliquely connects the first and second side wall sections so that at least a portion of the second clamping plate is disposed within a second side wall section of the laterally extending side walls of the first clamping plate when the two clamping plates are clamped together, and apertures in the laterally extending side walls located in the intermediate side wall section so that the manufacture of the first clamping plate by extrusion processes is substantially simplified, and the second clamping plate includes corresponding outwardly extending locking members to engage the apertures in the side walls of the first clamping plate so as to contain the stacked configuration under increased pressure therebetween.