PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES
Ultrafiltration
ULTRAFILTRATION uses a membrane very similar in design to reverse osmosis systems
except that the ultrafilter’s pores are slightly larger. The ultrafilter is used
to remove pyrogens and other long chain organic molecules such as RNase from the
purified water.
Since a high percentage of the water brought to the ultrafilter
passes through it, it will eventually plug if not maintained. In a properly designed
system, the ultrafilter is regularly and tangentially washed free of contaminants.
With this type of design, ultrafiltration is an outstanding technology for ensuring
very consistent ultrapure water quality.
Crossflow filtrat ion in an ultrafilter
showing pyrogens and particles larger than 0.002 micron being retained, while only
pure water molecules pass through the pores.