Ultrafiltration is a water treatment technology that filters big pollutants out of the water using a hollow fiber UF membrane. How does ultrafiltration work in the water treatment system? Read the article to the end to under how the system works.
How does ultrafiltration work
Water is pushed through the hollow fibers by water pressure.
The hollow fiber UF membrane has a pore size of 0.01 microns. The pore is smaller than human hair, so you can imagine microscopic contaminants that it removes.
When the pressure is applied across the membrane, contaminated water passes through the membrane. All suspended particles and impurities that are large than pore size are filtered and stick on the surface of the membrane and cannot pass through the membrane.
Only filtered water and dissolved minerals smaller than membrane pore pass through and become safe for drinking, cooking, or cleaning fruits.
Dissolved minerals such as salt, TDS, and fluoride are not removed by the UF membrane. This makes it perfect for a home with a low TDS level or for someone who prefers key minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium to remain in the water while microscopic pollutants are removed.
Before purchasing the Ultrafiltration system, you need to check your home water TDS level using a TDS meter.
The recommended TDS level is 500 mg/L. If your water exceeds this value, UF is not the suitable method for you; we recommend you purchase RO systems such as tankless RO systems, under sink RO systems, or countertop RO systems as they significantly reduce TDS.
Read the differences between ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis
What does ultrafiltration remove from water?
The UF pore size determines the types and sizes of contaminants removed in water. Generally, membrane pores range in size from 0.01 to 0.1 microns.
The membrane operates similarly to a sediment filter, with the exception that it features small pores that allow water to pass through while capturing material larger than 0.01 microns.
Contaminants such as suspended solids (such as sand, sediment, and particulate), bacteria, algae, viruses, and pathogenic protozoa (including Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium) are all removed by the UF membrane.
The ultrafiltration water treatment system is environmentally friendly. There is no water wastage during the treatment process, no chemicals are used, and low water pressure is required, so no use of electricity and retains essential minerals in the water.
How to maintain an Ultrafiltration membrane
Most UF membranes last for two years. After that, you need to replace it with a new one. Within those two years, you are only required to clean the membrane to prevent fouling.
You might like to know what is ultrafiltration water treatment.
