DE2950426

In a permeator containing hollow fiber membranes, a resilient means 126 cooperates between a tubular shell 102 containing the hollow fiber membranes 116 and at least one tube sheet 118 through which bores of the hollow fiber membranes communicate wherein a force directing the tube sheet longitudinally outward from the shell is provided. An end closure cap 128 is adapted to be removably fastened to the end of the shell proximate to the tube sheet. A first sealing means 130 is positioned between the end closure cap and the shell to provide an essentially fluid-tight relationship, and a second sealing means 134 is positioned between the end closure cap and the tube sheet wherein the resilient means provides a sufficient force on the tube sheet that the second sealing means provides an essentially fluid-tight seal.