ultrafiltration optimisation

[edilemais]

We are making test in order to use ultrafiltration for black water treatment at a pilot scale of 25 litres. We would like to test different tubular membranes but the manufacturers give only critical conditions of use. Do you know general informations concerning the optimal conditions of use to enhance life-time of membrane and reduce clogging: temperature, pressures, frequency and duration of cleaning... ?

 

[brennanpe]

Who's membranes are you using? What specific membrane?

 

[edilemais]

Thank you brennans 7 for answering.
We are now using "Ultra PES 1.5" from Membrana, but we would like to test other membranes too, that's why general informations about the optimal conditions will be very useful.

 

[edilemais]

In fact we are particularly interested in ceramic membranes, and we are going to test one from Atech Innovations (germany) with 8 mm diameter and 50 nm pore

 

[Torricelli]

for the first membrane screening we offer a "revolver"-module to test 4 membranes (tubular membranes) in parallel (common feed and retentate, 4x separate permeates). The 4 membranes have different cut-offs and/or are coming from different manufacturers. It makes you screening much faster and you are sure to have the same test conditions (flow, pressure, temp., feed concentration,..) for the 4 membranes.

Hope it helps

http://www.ibmem.com

 

[Jigneshpadia2002]

Please consider this reply as a general method and not specific to your problem. Some did mention about the cut off so that is what will affect your optimization.

If you use too tight membrane you are going to get very low flux and what you might to do is increase the pressure or TMP which will foul it faster !

So it is good idea to balance the cutt off. There are many membranes which has a turbulance promoter screen. The objective of such screen is to reduce the fouling.

Always work at low TMP
High recirculation or crossflow rate.
Use outlet valve or pressure on permeate side and do not run at 0 permeate pressre.

Use good cleaning agent !
Clean at high TMP and delta P

There are many other things specific to the product you are working with but in general all of these will surely help !

Good luck !

 

[hprorelis]

Process parameters are different according membrane type
1) Ceramic tubular membrane : linear velocity along membrane must be around 5 m/s - pressure at the module inlet will be about 5 bars to maximise permeate flux
2) Organic plate and frame membrane (Orelis membrane) requires a lower velocity about 2,5 m/s taking into account groove on membrane holding plates - pressure is about 5 bar