Advanced Ultrafiltration Membranes Modules for Superior Water Purity
Harness the power of precision separation with our industry-leading Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes modules. As a core technology in modern water treatment, ultrafiltration provides an absolute physical barrier to contaminants. Consequently, it ensures consistent and high-quality water for municipal, industrial, and wastewater applications.
To deliver this powerful solution, we proudly supply and support the most trusted names in the industry, offering a complete portfolio of modules from DuPont IntegraTec™, Toray, and Hydraflex. Furthermore, our team of experts is ready to help you select the perfect solution to meet your specific treatment goals and operational requirements.
What are Ultrafiltration Membranes Modules?
An Ultrafiltration (UF) module is the fundamental building block of a UF water treatment system. It is a compact, engineered device containing thousands of long hollow fibers.
The primary function of a UF module is to perform separation on a microscopic level. As feed water is passed through the module, the membranes act as a physical barrier, allowing pure water molecules to pass through while physically blocking:
- Suspended Solids
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Protozoa (like Giardia and Cryptosporidium)
- Colloids and Silt
The purified water is called permeate, while the concentrated stream of rejected contaminants is called concentrate. UF is an essential pre-treatment for Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems, protecting them from fouling, and is also widely used as a standalone technology for producing potable and tertiary-quality water.
What is a Hollow Fiber Ultrafiltration Membrane?
The core component inside most modern UF modules is the hollow fiber membrane. Each module contains thousands of these fibers, which resemble thin, hollow straws or capillaries bundled together.
The walls of these hollow fibers are porous, containing millions of microscopic pores of a specific, uniform size. In the most common “outside-in” configuration:
- Feed water surrounds the outside of the hollow fibers.
- Pressure is applied, forcing water to pass through the microscopic pores into the hollow center (the lumen) of the fiber.
- Contaminants are physically blocked and remain on the outer surface of the fibers.
- Pure, filtered permeate flows through the hollow center and is collected at the end of the module.
This design provides an incredibly high surface area for filtration within a very compact module, making it an efficient and space-saving technology.
Membrane Materials and Pore Size
The performance of a UF membrane is defined by its material of construction and its pore size, which determines what it can remove from the water.
Materials of Construction
The choice of polymer material impacts the membrane’s strength, chemical resistance, and lifespan. The most common material used in our top-tier brands is:
- PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride): Renowned for its exceptional mechanical strength, high chemical tolerance (to oxidants like chlorine), and excellent durability, making it ideal for a wide range of challenging water sources.
Other materials used in the industry include Polyethersulfone (PES), Polysulfone (PS), and Polyacrylonitrile (PAN).
Pore Size and Contaminant Capture
Ultrafiltration bridges the gap between microfiltration and nanofiltration. Its defining characteristic is a nominal pore size ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 micrometers (μm). This tiny pore size allows UF membranes to reliably remove:
| Contaminant Type | Examples | Removed by UF? |
|---|---|---|
| Suspended Solids & Turbidity | Silt, Clay, Colloids | Yes |
| Protozoa | Giardia, Cryptosporidium | Yes |
| Bacteria | E. coli, Salmonella, Legionella | Yes |
| Viruses | Norovirus, Hepatitis A, Rotavirus | Yes |
| Large Organics | Proteins, Humic Acids | Partial/High Removal |
| Dissolved Salts | Sodium, Chloride, Calcium | No |
The UF Operational Cycle: Filtration and Cleaning
An ultrafiltration system operates in a cycle to maintain performance and prevent irreversible fouling. The main steps are:
- Step 1: Filtration (Service Mode) This is the primary operational mode where feed water is continuously filtered through the membranes to produce permeate. System performance is monitored by tracking the transmembrane pressure (TMP), the pressure differential across the membrane wall. As contaminants accumulate on the surface, the TMP gradually increases.
- Step 2: Backwash (BW) To remove the accumulated layer of contaminants, the flow is periodically reversed for a short duration (30-60 seconds). Clean permeate water is pumped from the inside of the fibers outward, lifting the fouling layer off the external surface. This process is often assisted by air scour, where compressed air is used to create turbulence and scrub the membrane surfaces, dramatically improving cleaning efficiency. A backwash is typically performed every 20-60 minutes.
- Step 3: Chemically Enhanced Backwash (CEB) When a regular backwash is not enough to remove more stubborn foulants like organic films or mineral scale, a CEB is performed. This involves a short backwash cycle using a chemical solution, followed by a brief soaking period and a final flush. Common CEB chemicals include:
- Sodium Hypochlorite & Caustic: For organic and biological fouling.
- Citric Acid or Hydrochloric Acid: For mineral scaling. CEBs are performed as needed, typically from once every few hours to once a day.
What is Air Integrity Testing?
An Air Integrity Test, also known as a Pressure Decay Test (PDT), is a crucial diagnostic procedure to verify the physical integrity of the membrane fibers. It is a dry test performed to ensure there are no breaches, breaks, or compromised seals in the module.
The procedure involves:
- Draining the module of water.
- Applying low-pressure, clean air to one side of the membrane.
- Shutting off the air supply and measuring the rate of pressure loss over a set time.
A rapid pressure drop indicates that air is escaping through a broken fiber or a faulty seal. This test is critical for drinking water applications as it validates the membrane’s Log Removal Value (LRV) for pathogens, confirming that the UF system is providing a secure barrier against contamination.
Our Premier Brands: Engineered for Performance
We provide solutions from the world’s most reputable manufacturers, ensuring you receive the highest quality and reliability.
- DuPont IntegraTec™ The IntegraTec™ portfolio, including the renowned former Inge® and DOW™ UF products, sets the standard for reliability. Known for their extremely robust, multi-bore PVDF fibers, these modules offer superior breakage resistance and a long, dependable service life.
- Toray As a global leader in membrane science, Toray offers a comprehensive range of high-performance PVDF hollow fiber modules. Toray’s membranes are celebrated for their high flux rates and excellent chemical stability, delivering efficient performance in both water and wastewater treatment.
- Hydraflex Hydraflex provides reliable and cost-effective ultrafiltration solutions. Their PVDF hollow fiber modules are designed for efficiency and durability, offering an excellent balance of performance and value for a wide variety of standard water treatment applications.
Find the Right Ultrafiltration Membranes Modules Solution Today
Choosing the correct ultrafiltration module is critical to the success of your water treatment project. Let our specialists guide you.
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