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The method of filtration is not new and has been used since ancient times; however, the modern version of it includes the uses of various technologies. This enables advancement in the overall process that leads to new innovation and development in different sectors and industries. The membrane separation method is mostly used in the food industries for water purification, production of protein concrete rates and recovery of sugar with candies, along with others. Microfiltration, one of the methods of membrane separation, removes large solids and processed gluten removing microbes along with the suspended solids in the sterilization of beverages.
Membrane separation- Meaning
A technology that separates materials via pores in minute gaps in the molecular structure is defined as membrane separation. It is a process where the membrane uses the process of separating the components in the solution by rejecting the entry of unwanted substances. The membrane also functions to change the composition of the solution on permeation rates. The pressure exerted in the membrane is different and unique according to the size and structure of the solution. The category however includes microfiltration, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration and reverses filtration.
Membrane separation is often considered an expensive method due to the different separation processes in low permeability. The basic function of any membrane is to keep away unwanted substances from entering the membrane. In the same manner, in a microfiltration membrane, the low pressure is driven by removing the suspended particles in the size range of 0.1–10.0 μm. The various types of membrane separation techniques include Reverse osmosis, dialysis, membranous distillation and microfiltration.
The membrane separation is a traditional method that is used even in the new technologies as a revised version. It includes a process in which the contaminated fluid is passed through a membrane having different pore sizes. It is however one of the best techniques considered for the separation which is rapidly developing in the different branches of industries.
Membrane separation- Uses in different sectors
Membrane separation is extensively used in the food manufacturing units usually for the process of water filtration along with concentration and clarification of fruit juices. However, membrane separation is different from filtration mainly when it comes to its application. However, both work to filter the pollutants and work with the common method of filtering. Membrane filtration is however more of a chemical process that filtrates and separates the water. The membrane separation method is found to be useful also in the release of carbon dioxide. However, the process is very expensive due to low permeabilities. It works in the separation of carbon dioxide from fuel gas streams since transportation is limited.
The application of membrane separation is increasing rapidly in different industries and its uses in the dairy world is at par. The use of the technique in the dairy industry includes milk concentration, component separation such as protein and lactose, filtration, and bacteria reduction. It thereby plays an important role in dairy industry wastewater treatments also. This process in industries presents a low cost or reduced cost of production with no wastage.
Food, beverage and dairy industries use membrane separation processes to work well for the products. It is considered a valuable part of the production process with the increasing use of technologies with the traditional methods. The method becomes an important factor for filtration using the pressure technologies used to separate different liquids. It involves the chemical process also in industries of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and chemical sectors.
Microfiltration as a method of membrane separation
Microfiltration membrane rejects the physical solids along with the small materials from entering. Microfiltration is a new technology of loose separation process that removes the particles of relative molecular weight using the different sizes of the pores operating pressure which is less than 2 bar. It is a process with low-pressure utilization membranes that contain open pore structures. It can be made both with polymer-based membranes along with ceramic and stainless steel options. In the food industry, it uses the larger pores to operate and pass through the materials which are necessary to be there.
Microfiltration also functions to exclude many types of microorganisms including algae, fungi, protozoa, bacteria and different types of viruses. However, the viruses are roughly ten times smaller than the microfiltration membranes and thus cannot lead to enter. The technology is generally based on physical separation and however excels in removing and separating microorganisms from the solution as well. In this way, microfiltration is leading as a new and effective way of membrane separation, which is romping and highlighted recently in the industries.
Conclusion
The process of membrane separation is used extensively these days using modern methods. One of such methods which are more popular in the scenario is the process of microfiltration which filtrates using the physical process. The process of membrane separation includes the separation of the components that is unwanted, however, the role of the membrane is to change the composition of the given solution based on the relative permeation rates. The recovery of oil-based proteins, sugar-based candies is the recent grounds of development with the function of membrane separation.
