Membranes

Membrane Filtration

Filtration processes using membranes can be applied to liquid solutions or suspensions, to remove undesirable compounds, improving the product’s quality (permeate) or to concentrate substances of interest that are retained (retentate). The separation process is mechanic, and can be classified in micro, ultra, or nanofiltration, according to the pore size of the used membrane. A pressure gradient is applied between the sizes of the membrane, to create a driving force for filtration. The application of membranes may be useful as separation method for the extracts obtained with supercritical fluids or pressurized liquids.