Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Membrane Filter
Membrane filtration is one of the most effective and efficient methods of eliminating unwanted molecules such as solids, bacteria and viruses from liquids.
Recent technological advancements have substantially reduced the price as well as installation costs of membrane filters, especially since modern versions don’t require much land and/or large buildings for installation purposes. Operation costs are also low because modern filters can eliminate nearly all impurities in minimal time and while using very little energy.
Separation techniques
Filters present physical barriers which allow passage of substances only up to a particular size, character and/or shape.
Before purchasing a membrane filter online, it’s important to establish exactly how it carries out the liquid/ solid or liquid/ liquid separation. Find out if it is designed to carry out separation using ultra-filtration (UF), microfiltration (MF), reverse osmosis (RO) or nano-filtration (NF).
a. Ultra-filtration
UF is a process that gets rid of large molecular substances such as emulsified oils, suspended solids, metal hydroxides, dispersed substances, colloids and emulsions from liquids. UF filter membranes essentially separate molecules depending on their weight.
b. Micro-filtration
The process involves elimination of whole-cell broths, whereby macromolecules are separated from cell debris, proteins or other large molecules.
c. Reverse osmosis
Membrane filters that are designed with reverse osmosis mechanism work by reversing the process of osmosis that had occurred in a liquid so as to drain water from dissolved molecules. Separation is effected by diffusion of ions.
You can buy a membrane filter online that applies the RO separation process if your main goal is to produce a filtrate that is 100% pure.
d. Nano-filtration
The process of nano-filtration is very similar to reverse osmosis. NF membrane filters are primarily designed to eliminate large and divalent ions only. As a result, the filtered liquid only remains with sodium, chloride and other monovalent ions.
Configuration of membrane filters
1. Hollow fibre configuration
2. Tubular membrane configuration
3. Spiral membrane configuration
- Membrane filters with hollow fibre configuration
Membrane filters configured with hollow fibres work by allowing fluid to flow via the centre, passing via the fibre walls until it reaches outside.
The design makes them extremely flexible. Additionally, they are capable of handling large volumes for single pass, circulation and dead end operations. - Membrane filters with spiral configuration
They work by allowing feed solutions to enter through one end, flow through the membranes into permeate channels while under high pressure, spiral to the main cores and eventually exit as permeate. - Membrane filters with tubular configuration
These filters work in cross-flow/ tangential design, whereby fluid is driven in sweeping action along membrane surfaces. Stable rates of filtration for process streams are maintained with high concentration of cells, precipitates and/or proteins.
Important factors that must be considered before purchasing a membrane filter online
There are six main factors that must be taken into consideration before procuring a membrane filter. They are:
1. Quality of effluent
2. High Efficiency
3. Durability
4. Flexibility
5. Mode of operation
6. Range of applications
It’s important to choose a reliable supplier when you are seeking membrane filter online who can evaluate your precise application requirements and also establish the best product that can meet your fluid-separation needs in the most efficient and effective way.
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