Membrane filtration for the chemical industry
Precise separation for acidic, alkaline and solvent-containing process streams
- Energy efficient
- Sustainably clean
- Scalable & flexible
- Reliable filtering
The special requirements of chemical processes for filtration
For the chemical industry, this means rising costs, declining efficiency and a higher risk of quality losses. That is why it needs Filtration processwhich Work reliably, Robust against aggressive media are flexible and adapt to Customize different processes leave.
The solution: ceramic membrane filters
In the chemical production include above all Safety, efficiency and Process stability. This is exactly where MEMBRAFLOW comes in: With ceramic membranes, specially designed for use in in demanding media are designed. The combination of chemical resistance and Crossflow operation ensures that processes Reliable, clean and permanently efficient run.
Advantages at a glance:
- Resistant to acids, alkalis and solvents
- Stable flow rates thanks to crossflow operation
- Recovery of valuable catalysts possible
- Can be cleaned chemically, thermally or with aggressive substances
- Long service life, even with highly loaded media
Areas of application in the chemical industry
Ceramic membranes are used wherever Conventional separation processes to their Pushing boundaries. For the chemical industry, this not only means a Reliable preparation of process flows, but above all noticeable advantages in operation: Stable processes without unexpected interruptions, Less cleaning effort and Lower overall costs. At the same time recover valuable intermediate products and the use of additional chemicals. Overall a plus for economic efficiency and sustainability.
- Recovery of catalysts or carrier materials after reactions
- Removal of pigments and turbidity without additional chemicals
- Treatment of acidic, alkaline or solvent-containing process streams
- Selective separation of organic acids or intermediate products
- Combination with distillation, crystallization or other membrane processes for complex separation tasks
Functionality
How ceramic membrane filtration works in the chemical industry
Physical principle of filtration
Filtration in the chemical industry is based on a purely physical principle. Under moderate pressure, the medium flows tangentially to the membrane surface; this is referred to as cross-flow filtration or crossflow operation. This flow control continuously removes solids such as catalyst fragments, pigments or colloids from the membrane surface. This keeps the flow rate stable, fouling is significantly reduced and filtration runs evenly and efficiently over long periods of time.
Structure of the ceramic membranes
The ceramic membranes used consist of materials such as aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide or silicon carbide. Their multi-layer structure combines mechanical robustness with a fine-pored separation layer that enables precise separation of particles and molecules. Depending on the type of membrane used, the separation performance ranges from the micro to the ultra to the nanofiltration range. This means that even fine organic intermediate products or acids can be separated in a targeted manner.
Resistance to aggressive media
The exceptional resistance of ceramic materials is particularly important for use in the chemical industry. Whether strong acids, concentrated alkalis or organic solvents, the membranes can withstand extreme conditions without losing their performance.
Cleaning and durability
Our modules are fully CIP-capable and can be chemically or thermally cleaned, even with highly aggressive substances. As a result, the separation performance remains consistently high for many years. In combination with the robust design, this ensures a very long service life for the systems, even with intensive use in continuous industrial operation.
Find out more in our case studies
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about filtration in the chemical sector
Our membranes can withstand even concentrated acids, strong alkalis and organic solvents. This makes them ideal for use in processes with extreme conditions.
Yes, thanks to their modular design, the systems can be easily integrated into existing reactors, filtration stages or circuits.
The modules are fully CIP-capable and can be cleaned with aggressive media such as caustic soda, acids or hot water. This means that the flows remain constant, even if abrasive particles or organic residues are present.
Yes, ceramic membranes enable the recovery of catalysts, intermediates or organic acids directly from the process stream. This reduces losses and improves efficiency.
The tangential flow actively removes deposits from the membrane surface. This is particularly important for pigments, colloids or highly viscous media, as it reduces fouling and ensures stable production.
Yes, the diaphragm technology is designed in accordance with the required regulations, e.g. PED 2014/68/EU, ASME or AD 2000.
Fouling refers to the deposition of particles, oils, colloids or other substances on the membrane surface. These layers clog the pores, reduce the flow rate and increase the energy requirement. In the worst case, fouling leads to frequent cleaning cycles or even system failure.
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