The present invention provides a hollow fiber membrane submodule
comprising a hollow fiber membrane element, permeated fluid collectors,
and snaps for securing the permeated fluid collectors to the hollow fiber
membrane element, wherein the permeated fluid collectors are closely
attached to the hollow fiber membrane element with the snaps in
engagement therebetween and being arranged non-continuously around the
outer periphery of each permeated fluid collector, and the permeated
fluid collectors can be removed from and installed in the hollow fiber
membrane element. With the hollow fiber membrane submodule of the present
invention, when replacing the membranes, the hollow fiber membrane
element is replaced with a new hollow fiber membrane element, and then
the permeated fluid collectors can be reattached to the replaced element
and reused. In addition, the snaps are capable of positioning the hollow
fiber membrane element at the center of the hollow fiber membrane
submodule within a pressure vessel, and also defining a flow path of a
concentrated fluid with its non-continuous arrangement.