filtracj

Filtracja, sometimes seen as filtracj in Polish texts, is the process of separating solids from liquids or gases by passing the mixture through a filter medium that retains the solids and allows the fluid to pass through. The effectiveness of filtration depends on the filter’s pore structure, the properties of the mixture, and the driving force used to move the fluid.

Filtration can be categorized by mechanism and by the filter medium. Depth filtration uses a porous matrix to capture particles throughout the medium, while surface filtration relies on particles being retained on the surface of the filter. Membrane filtration employs semipermeable membranes and is commonly divided into microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis, each with progressively smaller effective pore sizes. In practice, filtration also includes cross-flow or tangential flow, where the fluid sweeps along the surface to reduce fouling.

Laboratory and industrial methods differ in scale and equipment. In labs, gravity filtration or vacuum filtration with a Büchner funnel and filter paper is common. In industry, filtration may involve filter presses, cartridge or bag filters, and membrane modules, sometimes operated under pressure, vacuum, or as continuous processes.

Applications span water and wastewater treatment, beverage and food production, pharmaceuticals and biotech manufacturing, chemical processing, oil and gas, and air purification. Advantages include particulate removal, clarification, sterilization of liquids, and concentration of solids; limitations involve fouling, filter replacement, and energy or chemical use for pretreatment and cleaning. Filtracja is a foundational separation technique across science and engineering.