Filtrácia

Filtrácia is a term used in various scientific and engineering disciplines to describe the process of separating solid matter from a liquid or gas by passing the mixture through a medium that retains the solid particles but allows the fluid to pass through. This medium is known as a filter.

The principle behind filtration is based on size exclusion. The pores of the filter medium are small enough to trap particles of a certain size or larger, while allowing fluid molecules to pass. The effectiveness of a filter is determined by its pore size, the type of material it is made from, and the pressure applied to drive the fluid through it.

Filtration techniques are employed in numerous applications. In water treatment, it is essential for removing impurities and making water safe for consumption. In industrial processes, filtration is used to purify chemicals, separate catalysts from reaction mixtures, and remove unwanted byproducts. The pharmaceutical industry relies heavily on filtration for sterilizing drugs and removing particulate contamination. In everyday life, common examples include coffee filters, air filters in vehicles and homes, and strainers used in cooking.

Different types of filters exist, including mechanical filters, which use a physical barrier with pores, and depth filters, which trap particles within a thick porous material. Membrane filtration, a more advanced technique, utilizes semi-permeable membranes with very precise pore sizes to achieve high levels of separation, such as in reverse osmosis for desalination. The choice of filtration method depends on the specific application, the nature of the fluid being filtered, and the size of the particles to be removed.