Filtration spectrum

Ultrafiltration is just a small part of water treatment. And ultrafiltration is just one type of membrane filtration. Depending on your goal you should decide what type of filtration  you will implement. Ultrafiltration modules from PB are the perfect solution for water disinfection and clarification, while the membranes will remove everything bigger then 0,02 micron. This article will give you a better understanding of several types of water treatment and the position of ultrafiltration in the water spectrum.

The filtration spectrum is an overview of several technologies and their capabilities. Since there are plenty of technologies available, we’ve designed the spectrum to show where UF can be used for and how it will affect your water.

If your living in a region where high particulate and colloids are common, you might want to consider a self flushing UF module from PB. The possibility of flushing your module increases the lifespan of the module to 5 or more years. In many cases this is a financially more attractive solution then cartridge microfilters, reversed osmosis or sand filtration.

Microfilters are the perfect prefilters for ultrafiltration modules. 10’’ and 20’’ MF cartridges with a pore size between 100 and 5 micron are used by PB to remove the bigger particles like sand and human hairs. 

Dissolved solids will pass through micro- and ultrafilters. Molecules like calcium and magnesium should be removed by the use of ion exchangers or some specific nanofilters. PB ultrafilters have the capability to remove molecules > 100-150 kDa which means some humic and fulvic acid will be removed by UF. For the removal of dissolved solids <100-150 kDa, reversed osmosis membranes are required. 

Ultrafiltration is a great prefilter for RO membranes, since UF will protect the expensive RO membranes. Small particulate and colloids will be harm the RO membranes so you want a UF upstream the RO. Typical SDI output of PB ultrafilters is <2.