Fundamentals of Reverse Osmosis, Nanofiltration, UltraFiltration
& Micro Filtration.
Niro division of GEA Process
Engineering Ltd are a leading supplier of membrane filtration equipment across
the process industries.
Membrane, or cross flow, filtration differs from
conventional filtration techniques as the feed flows tangentially across a
membrane surface the characteristics of which controls the separation process.
Cross flow filtration is ideally suited to a wide range of separation
processes in the chemical, dairy, food and pharmaceutical industries, as well
as waste water treatment and desalination.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse Osmosis is the tightest of membrane separation techniques operating
in the ionic range. The membrane is capable of retaining low molecular weight
salts and allowing the passage of water of a high quality. Within the process
industries it is used extensively for concentration of low molecular weight
material and for product recovery from waste water .
Nanofiltration
Nanofiltration membranes offer some unique properties allowing the passage
of monovalent ions and small organic molecules e.g. alcohol whilst retaining
polyvalent ions and sugars .The membrane is widely used for demineralisation
and colour removal and in the pharmaceutical for the concentration and
purification of APIs.
Ultrafiltration
Ultrafiltration is a selective fractionation process within the molecular
range. and is used therefore as both a fractionation and concentration process.
Typically membranes are available in both polymeric and ceramic material with
molecular weight cut off from 1 – 100.
Ultrafiltration is widely used
for the fraction of milk and whey and in protein fractionation.
Microfiltration
Microfiltration is a low-pressure cross-flow membrane process for separating
colloidal and suspended particles in the range of 0.05-10 microns.
Microfiltration is used for fermentation, broth clarification and biomass
clarification and recovery, as well as the removal of bacteria. Microfiltration
membranes are available in ceramic and polymeric material.
Click here for
Filtration Spectrum.