Filtration with Ceramic Membranes

R. Sondhi and R. Bhave, Role of Backpulsing in Fouling Minimization in Crossflow Filtration with Ceramic Membranes, 7. Membr. Sci. 186, 41 (2001). 

Guizard C, Ayral A, and Julbe A. Potentiality of organic solvents filtration with ceramic membranes. A comparison with polymer membranes. Desalination 2002 147 275-280. 

Behind the general parameters (viscosity, transmembrane pressure, temperature, flow velocity) which can influence cross-flow filtration with ceramic membranes two aspects must be considered to be more specific of this sort of membrane. One is related to the geometry (tubular multichannel or honeycomb) found for the major part of commercially available membranes, the other is the amphoteric behaviour of metal oxides used in the preparation of these ceramic membranes. 

Anton Steinecker Maschinenfabrik GmbH, Freising (BRD), Crossfow-micro-filtration with ceramic membranes. Company Product Bulletin, 1993. 

Moritz T, Benfer S, Arki P, and Tomandl G. Influence of the surface charge on the permeate flux in the dead-end filtration with ceramic membranes. Sep. Purif. Technol. 2001 25 501-508. 

Heidenreich S and Scheibner B. Hot gas filtration with ceramic filters Experiences and new developments. Filtr. Sep. 2002 May 22-25. Heidenreich S and Wolters C. Hot gas filter contributes to IGCC power plant s reliable operation. Filtr. Sep. 2004 June 22-25. Larbot A, Bertrand M, Marre S, and Prouzet E. Performances of ceramic filters for air purification. Sep. Purif. Technol. 2003 32 81-85. DeFriend KA and Barron AR. A simple approach to hierarchical ceramic ultrafiltration membranes. J. Membr. Sci. 2003 212 29-38. Endo Y, Chen D-R, and Pui DYH. Collection efficiency of sintered ceramic filters made of submicron spheres. Filtr. Sep. 2002 March 43-47. Sakol D and Konieczny K. Application of coagulation and conventional filtration in raw water pre-treatment before microfiltration membranes. Desalination 2004 162 61-73. 

Fillaudeau L and Carrere H. Yeast cells, beer composition and mean pore diameter impact on fouling and retention during cross-flow filtration of beer with ceramic membranes. J. Membr. Sci. 2002 196 39-57. 

When clarifying antibiotics there are some specific considerations to keep in mind most important is whether or not the product is intra or extracellular. Penicillin V, G, and many others are extracellular products. In such cases, the target antibiotics are excreted into the broth. For clarification, a crossflow system with ceramic membranes or hollow fibers is therefore widely used. The permeate (filtrate) contains the desired product. Diafiltration can also be used to improve upon the yield. 

In many industrialised countries oily wastes are collected and treated in commercial or public emulsion treatment centres. The supply of oil emulsions varies very considerably in type of oils, concentration, contamination with other materials, etc. Following coarse pre-filtration and decantation, oil/water emulsions can be treated very successfully with ceramic membranes. The concentrate is returned to the decanter, and microfiltered again after removal of the free oil, until all oil is removed. The extracted water can be fed into a biological treatment plant, or discharged directly, depending on the composition of the original emulsion and/or local regulations. 

Mikulasek, P. and Dolecek, P., Use of a Rotating Filter to Enhance Membrane Filtration Performance of Latex Dispersions , Sep. Sci. Technol., 29,1943 (1994) Mikulasek, P. and Hrdy, J., Permeate Flux Enhancement Using a Fluidized Bed in Microfiltration with Ceramic Membranes , Chem. Biochem. Eng. Q.. 13, 133 (1999)... 

The ceramic membrane has a great potential and market. It represents a distinct class of inorganic membrane. In particular, metallic coated membranes have many industrial applications. The potential of ceramic membranes in separation, filtration and catalytic reactions has favoured research on synthesis, characterisation and property improvement of inorganic membranes because of their unique features compared with other types of membrane. Much attention has focused on inorganic membranes, which are superior to organic ones in thermal, chemical and mechanical stability and resistance to microbial degradation. 

Microfiltration units can be configured as plate and frame flat sheet equipment, hollow fiber bundles, or spiral wound modules. The membranes are typically made of synthetic polymers such as Polyethersulfone (PES), Polyamide, Polypropylene, or cellulosic mats. Alternate materials include ceramics, stainless steel, and carbon. Each of these come with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. For instance, ceramic membranes are often recommended for the filtration of larger particles such as cells because of the wider lumen of the channels. However, it has been shown that spiral wound units can also be used for this purpose, provided appropriate spacers are used. 

We reported our recent developed membranes called carbon whisker membrane (CWM) and c on-coated coamic membrane. The CWM performed a better permeant flux in the filtration process in comparison with the membrane without whiskers. Also, CWMs have a self-cleaning function which can increase the separation efficiency during die filtration and increase die lift-time of the membrane. The carbon-coated ceramic membranes with various pore sizes can be made for the puipose of nanofiltration. 

Yeast can be separated from an ethanol fermentation broth by porous ceramic membranes with backflushing [Matsumoto et al., 1988]. Tubular alumina membranes with a nominal pore diameter of 1.6 pm were demonstrated to be effective for this application with a maximum permeate flux of 1,1(X) IVhr-m with backflushing. The permeate flux increases with increasing feed rale (or crossflow velocity) and TMP and with decreasing yeast concentration. Various backflushing techniques were investigated and the reverse flow of filtrate (instead of air) either by pressure from the permeate side... 

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