Membranes for industrial microfiltration/ultrafiltration

In this chapter a general overview of industrial microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) processes is given. Basic principles, membrane materials, membrane preparation technologies, membrane module configurations and process designs involved in these operations are described. Membrane fouling and concentration polarization phenomena, as well as methods to control and reduce their effects on membrane performance, are also discussed. Finally the main applications of UF and MF membranes and their integration on a large technical scale are reviewed.