FLUID TREATMENT ASSEMBLIES AND ELEMENTS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THEM

A fluid treatment element comprising: a fluid treatment pack (13) which includes a fluid treatment medium (17), an axis (14) first and second opposite ends' (15,16) and a plurality of pleats (20) extending axially between the first and second ends (15,16) wherein the fluid treatment medium (17) has first and second surfaces and wherein each pleat (20) includes first and second axial ends (21,22) at the first and second ends (15,16) of the fluid treatment pack (13), each pleat further including a folded end (23), an open end (24) first and second legs (25,26) extending between the folded end (23) and the open end (24), and a region (27) free of structure, the region (27) free of structure extending axially within the pleat (20) between the first and second axial ends (21 ,22) along the first surface of the fluid treatment medium and opening onto the first and second axial ends of the pleat; a sealant (18) sealing each end of the fluid treatment pack from the second surface of the fluid treatment medium; a first fluid flow path (30) which extends axially along the fluid treatment pack within the pleats, the first fluid flow path including.the regions (27) free of structure; and a second fluid flow path (31) which extends through the fluid treatment medium from or to the first fluid flow path. The fluid treatment assemblies and elements for treating fluids may be used to treat fluids including gases, liquids, or mixtures of gases, and/or solids, in a crossflow mode of operation. For example, some fluid treatment assemblies and elements may be used to remove one or more substances from the fluid and may then function as separators, including filters and concentrators. Other fluid treatment assemblies and elements may be used to transfer substances between two fluid streams and may then function as mass transfer devices. L'invention porte sur des ensembles de traitement de fluides et les éléments associés permettant de traiter des fluides dont des gaz, des liquides, et/ou des mélanges de gaz et/ou de solides, dans des opérations à contre-courant. Par exemple, certains de ces ensembles et éléments peuvent servir à éliminer une ou des substances du fluide et servir de séparateurs, y compris de filtres et de concentrateurs. On peut également utiliser d'autres ensembles de traitement de fluides et les éléments associés pour transférer des substances d'un flux de fluide à un autre, et comme dispositifs de transferts de masse.