The method of separating molecules and particles from liquid or gas streams with the use of a semi-permeable membrane is called membrane filtration. The membrane works like a barrier and allows molecules to pass through when retaining others. There is a wide range of membrane filtration that includes ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. The property of the solution lets the user know which method of filtration is helpful. Moreover, the most common way for water treatment, beverage processing, food, and medical application is known as membrane filters. Let us know more about membrane filtration with Simsii.
Types of Membrane Filtration
Membrane filtration comes with four common types of filtration. The specification of membrane filtration depends upon the size of the material needs to separate from the feed liquid. Osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration are four common types of membrane filters. These are in order of increasing the pore size. However, the spiral wound membrane and flat sheet membranes cover these types of membrane filtration.
Reverse Osmosis (RO)
In liquid separation, reverse osmosis uses a membrane that is as tight as feasible. The membrane can only permeate the membrane. Everything else, including (bacteria, spores, lipids, proteins, gums, salts, carbohydrates, and minerals) are not able to pass through.
Nanofiltration (NF)
Nanofiltration excludes bigger ions involving the numbers of organic substances, such as bacteria, spores, lipids, proteins, gums, and sugars, while allowing small ions, such as those found in minerals, to pass through. However, in comparison with nanofiltration, reverse osmosis is not as fine as nanofiltration. On the other hand, nanofiltration uses slightly open membranes.
What is Ultrafiltration (UF)
Using membranes with bigger holes and relatively low pressure is the process of ultrafiltration. Proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides cannot pass through, but salts, sugars, organic acids, and smaller peptides can.
Microfiltration (MF)
Microfiltration does not allow suspended solids, flat globules, and bacteria to pass through.
What Are The Advantages Of Membrane Filtration
In industrial-scale applications, there are various significant advantages of membrane filtration. Along with advantages, reliability, consistency, and operating costs are also crucial.
High Flexibility
Feed items with a range of viscosities, including those with high viscosities that might otherwise be difficult to process, can be processed using membrane filtration. The large variety of different membrane solutions ensures the availability of the best possible solution for each application. Additionally, this reduces wasteful energy expenses.
High-End Product Quality
Membrane filtering is an environmentally friendly technology. The use of chemicals is not necessary because the separation procedure is molecular size based. As a result, a product of the finest quality is produced, and it is also made easier to meet the many onerous requirements set forth by both consumers and governmental entities.
Uses of Membrane Filtration
There are various use of membrane filtration. Let's explore more
1 Industries and laboratories use membrane filtration for heat-labile fluid materials.
2 Drinking water is the most acceptable and effective method of filtration.
3 The monitoring of bacterial cells is utilized in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, electronics, and food and beverage sectors.
4 Useful for the treatment of wastewater.
5 Separation of the milk fraction uses the membrane filtration method.
6 Use to overcome whey and skim milk.
7 Use in the method of concentrating proteins.
8 Membrane filtration is also used for cold sterilization and pharmaceuticals.
9 For use in partially demineralizing whey.
Final Words
In this post, we have discussed everything related to membrane filtration. Now you can employ various uses of membrane filters in your daily use. However, Simsii is the leading private supplier of membrane filters, syringe filters, and laboratory filtration like nylon membrane filter, PTFE syringe filters, and more. Our company provides qualitative lab filters to national and international companies.
