Kalvoerotusmenetelmät

Kalvoerotusmenetelmät, or membrane separation methods, are a group of technologies used to separate substances from a fluid based on their size and chemical properties. These methods employ semi-permeable membranes, which allow certain molecules or particles to pass through while retaining others. The driving force for separation can be pressure, concentration gradients, or electrical potential.

Common types of membrane separation include microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis. Microfiltration removes particles and bacteria with pore sizes typically ranging from 0.1 to 10 micrometers. Ultrafiltration is used to separate larger molecules like proteins and viruses, with pore sizes between 0.01 and 0.1 micrometers. Nanofiltration can remove divalent ions and small organic molecules, while reverse osmosis is the finest separation process, capable of removing dissolved salts and small molecules by forcing solvent through a membrane against osmotic pressure.

These methods are widely applied in various industries. In water treatment, they are crucial for desalination, purification of drinking water, and wastewater treatment. The food and beverage industry uses them for milk processing, juice clarification, and beer filtration. Pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications include the purification of drugs, separation of biomolecules, and sterile filtration. Membrane separation offers advantages such as low energy consumption compared to thermal processes, high separation efficiency, and continuous operation. However, membrane fouling, where the membrane surface becomes clogged, can reduce performance and necessitate cleaning or replacement.