Filtration efficiency particle chemistry

Can correlations be made between filtration efficiencies of SI02 vs. NaCI vs. citric acid vs. others n How do NaCI/DOP materials compare to other particle chemistries ... 

Mlcrofiltra.tlon, Various membrane filters have been used to remove viral agents from fluids. In some cases, membranes which have pores larger than the viral particle can be used if the filtration is conducted under conditions which allow for the adsorption of the viral particle to the membrane matrix. These are typically single-pass systems having pore sizes of 0.10—0.22 lm. Under situations which allow optimum adsorption, between 10—10 particles of poHovims (28—30 nm) were removed (34—36). The formation of a cake layer enhanced removal (35). The titer reduction when using 0.10—0.22 p.m membrane filters declined under conditions which minimized adsorption. By removal standards, these filters remove vimses at a rate on the low end of the desired titer reduction and the removal efficiency varies with differences in fluid chemistry and surface chemistry of viral agents (26). 

A PVDF membrane filter has been shown to remove >10 particles of vims for vimses >50 nm independent of fluid type (8). Vimses smaller than 50 nm are not removed as efficiently but are removed in a predictable manner which correlates to the vims particle size. The chemistry of the suspending fluid affects titer reduction for vimses <50 nm owing to other removal mechanisms, such as adsorption, coming into play. The effects of these other mechanisms can be minimized by using filtration conditions that minimize adsorption. 

MF may be used to remove these heavy metals provided pretreatment chemicals are added to precipitate the metals to particles of filterable size. The chemical pretreatment step is crucial since it will affect the performance of the membrane and the resultant sludge volume as well as the contaminant removal efficiency. Reduction/oxidation, absorption/oxidation, and/or catalytic reactions are utilized along with pH adjustment to provide the optimum precipitation. Although conventional methods of waste water treatment may use a similar pretreatment chemistry, the final solid/liquid separation by gravity settling is usually not as effective as membrane filtration. 

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