What is a membrane?
A membrane is a layer of material which serves as a selective barrier between two phases and remains impermeable to specific particles, molecules, or substances when exposed to the action of a driving force. Some components are allowed passage by the membrane into a permeate stream, whereas others are retained by it and accumulate in the retentate stream.
What can a membrane be used for?
- Consentration of fruit juice (removing of water)
- Purifying of drinking water (hygienic barrier)
- Fresh water production from sea water (reversed osmosis)
- Gas / liquid contactor (absorbtion / stripping)
- Leachate treatment
- Gas drying (dew point control)
- Gas separation (Oxygen from air)
- Selective molecule separation (nano filtration)
Schematic drawing of a module
Selection of membrane processes
- Microfiltration
- Ultrafiltration
- Nanofiltration
- Hyperfiltration
- Gas seperation
