Technology

Ultrafiltration (UF)

Membrane filtration that removes suspended solids, particulates and pathogens.

Background image: Polysulfone Hollow Fiber Membrane Cross-Section by RobertsBiology, CC BY-SA 4.0

What it removes

Suspended solids, particulates, macromolecules and pathogens — 90-100% pathogen removal.

Best for

Source water under 300 ppm TDS, typically paired with UV.

Key advantage

Constant product quality regardless of feed water quality, with no chemicals required.

How It Works

The Ultrafiltration Process

Water Inlet
Raw water enters under pressure.
Membrane Barrier
Semi-permeable membrane blocks particles by size.
Retentate
Suspended solids and high molecular weight solutes retained.
Permeate
Water and low molecular weight solutes pass through.
Filtered Water Out
Clear water, typically passed to UV for disinfection.

In Detail

Overview

How Ultrafiltration Works

Ultrafiltration is a form of membrane filtration in which pressure or concentration gradients drive separation through a semi-permeable membrane. Suspended solids and solutes of high molecular weight are retained in the retentate, while water and low molecular weight solutes pass through the membrane as permeate.

Where It's Used

UF is used to remove particulates and macromolecules from raw water to produce potable water. It can replace conventional secondary treatment (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation) and tertiary filtration (sand filtration and chlorination), or operate as a standalone system. When treating water with high suspended solids, UF is typically integrated with primary treatment stages as pre-treatment.

Technical details

Advantages

No chemicals required aside from cleaning.
Constant product quality regardless of feed water quality.
Compact plant size.
Capable of exceeding regulatory water quality standards, achieving 90-100% pathogen removal.