Application of microfiltration for water and wastewater treatment

Semipermeable membranes have been used for separation of phases since the 1950's, but are becoming increasingly sophisticated and in widespread use in industrial processes. The four classes used in water and wastewater treatment are; reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF), microfiltration (MF) and electrodialysis (ED). These processes are chosen according to the size of the particle to be removed; for example, RO is used for desalinization and water purification for industrial processes, UF for industrial wastewater and pharmaceutical sterilized water, and so forth. The text focuses on the use and technical specifications for crossflow microfiltration (CFMF), and gives examples for water treatment, industrial and domestic, wastewater treatment from pulp and paper, textile, biotechnological and agricultural processes, and hazardous waste treatment. A few applications of UF, for example for small community water supply, are also included. Filtration processes are important for the recycling of products since the molecular structure of the particulate matter removed remains unchanged.