Makrofiltratsioon

Makrofiltratsioon, literally “macrofiltration,” is a water‑purification process that removes suspended particles from liquid using a physical filter with relatively large pore sizes. Compared with microfiltration, which targets particles down to about 0.1 µm, makrofiltration typically employs pores ranging from 5 to 200 µm. This allows the treatment of raw water sources that are heavily turbid or contain organic material such as silt, algae, or debris, while still proceeding at high flow rates.

The core of a makrofiltratsioon system is a filter media or membrane that can be made from woven fabrics, foam, polyethylene, or ceramic in some cases. The liquid is forced through the media by pressure or gravity, depositing particles on the surface while clean water passes through. Because the pore size is relatively large, the mechanical load on the filter is lower, and the fouling rate is slower than in finer filtration, making it inexpensive to operate over long periods.

This process is commonly used as a pre‑cleaning step in municipal water supply, industrial cooling towers, and in raw‐water sources such as streams, lakes, or manure runoff before they undergo finer treatments like microfiltration, ultrafiltration, or membrane bioreactors. It is also employed in the dairy industry to remove milk spoilage particles and in the production of bottled water to reduce turbidity before further polishing.

Historically, flotation devices and screen filter beds were among the earliest makrofiltratsioon methods. Modern implementations may integrate automated cleaning schedules, such as back‑washing or mechanical brushing, to sustain performance. The energy consumption is typically modest, and maintenance costs are below those of microfiltration, making it attractive for remote or low‑budget water treatment projects.

Because the process does not remove dissolved contaminants or microorganisms smaller than the pores, it is often combined with chemical disinfection or additional filtration stages. Nonetheless, its simplicity, reliability, and cost‑effectiveness keep makrofiltratsioon an essential part of many water treatment plants worldwide.