Abstract

A thin sheet apparatus is described as having a front and a back and having a central area and a frame area disposed around the central area. The central area is made of a fluid impermeable material having substantially planar surfaces. The frame area contains two sets of supply orifices and drainage orifices which are opposite one another. The frame area also contains a plurality of channels for each orifice which connects the orifice with the central area. The pluralities of channels for the first set of supply orifices and drainage orifices are located on the front of the frame area while the pluralities of channels for the second set of supply orifices and drainage orifices are located on the back. Also described is a fluid flow device which contains a number of stacked groups of elements in which each of the groups contains the above mentioned thin sheet apparatus as well as various plastic sheets having channels connecting the supply orifices and drainage orifices and having membrane separator means for the stacked elements. The fluid flow device is particularly useful as an electrochemical cell in a preferred embodiment in which the central area is made of conductive material and in which the stacked groups of elements contain current collectors at each end.