Microfiltration

Microfiltration (MF) is a cross flow membrane filtration process, capable of removing a large range of particulate matter from a water source, these include silt, bacteria, colloidal matter and, with the proper chemistry, metals such as iron and manganese. Micro-filtration operates through a fixed membrane pore size, basically particulate larger than the pore size rating of the membrane, will be retained by the membrane.

Ultrafiltration

Ultrafiltration (UF) is also a cross flow membrane filtration process, with the major difference between MF an UF, being the removal rating of the membrane. Whilst MF has a removal rating based on the rated pore size of the specific membrane, the UF membrane has a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) meaning that all impurities with a molecular weight greater than the membrane’s rated molecular weight cut-off will be retained by the membrane. Ultra-filtration is used for the removal of suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, organics and endotoxins.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis (RO), like Nanofiltration, is a membrane process capable of removing dissolved salts, bacteria and organics, from a water source. The removal capability of the RO membrane is based on a molecular weight cut-off, of approximately 100 Daltons. The RO membrane is very effective in removing monovalent ions such as fluoride and nitrate. In most cases, when the removal of high levels of fluoride and/ or nitrate is required, then RO would normally be selected as the preferred technology.

Distillation

National Separations also supplies distillation equipment, mostly into the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical companies producing water for injection (WFI) under the British Pharmacopoeia Specifications (BP) are required to use distillation technology for manufacturing for their products. Distillation equipment is used for the production of pure steam and water for injection, a large number of configurations are used to optimize the process and efficiency.