Why use Ceramic Membranes

Currently, clean water is a scarce resource, and several places worldwide are already experiencing water crises. This negative development is not only seen in developing countries – it affects everyone everywhere. Rapidly, the water demand continues to grow because of the increasing population growth. Therefore, we must manage our water efficiency and sustainably to sustain human life. Ceramic membrane technology is crucial to managing our water effectively and sustainably. The ceramic membranes can concurrently optimize your operation by delivering several significant benefits.

The video below explains how membrane technology enables sustainable water resources management.

Polymeric membranes and ceramic oxide membranes are alternatives to ceramic silicon carbide membranes.

Polymeric membranes can be produced from different materials, such as polysulfone, polyamide, or cellulose acetates. These membranes are heavily used in multiple industries due to their low manufacturing cost and easy scalability. Polymeric membranes are incredibly efficient for reverse osmosis (RO filtration). Due to the dense pore size, the organic material ensures the most optimal and durable performance for this filtration type. Yet, these materials are more inexpensive as they provide a low thermal and chemical strength level, making it challenging to handle aggressive fluids from harsh environments. Depending on the industry the membranes are to operate, this can be a significant disadvantage, leading to a deteriorated liquid filtration process. Likewise, polymeric membranes cannot handle frequent cleaning or sterilization processes, which are otherwise essential in many industries, such as e.g. the processing of food and beverage or pharmaceuticals.

Ceramic membranes are produced from different inorganic materials, such as alumina, titania, zirconia, and silicon carbide. As silicon carbide is the second hardest material in the world, only exceeded by diamonds, this material provides some unique advantages. Read more about the ultra-hard material silicon carbide here. Unlike to polymeric membranes, silicon carbide ceramic membranes deliver mechanical, thermal, and chemical strength – all of which add to a longer membrane lifetime than polymeric membranes can offer. Additionally, ceramic membranes have a higher hydrophilicity level, which provides higher water fluxes and fewer membrane fouling problems than their polymeric counterpart.

Ceramic membranes are heavily employed in preparing process water and for the filtration and purification of wastewater. Membrane technology is increasingly focused on wastewater treatment as it is essential to filter contaminated wastewater streams, especially if they are to be discharged into sensitive areas or waters. Additionally, there are significant growth prospects in employing membrane technology as it enables water reuse and recycling for efficient water management and reduces reliance on external freshwater suppliers. This will eventually open to other relevant industries allowing them to run a more sustainable operation. Applying ceramic membranes in your operation prepares you for the future.

The advantages of utilizing ceramic membrane technology are numerous. Ceramic membranes can be produced from several materials. However, the solid and ultra-hard material silicon carbide provides robustness and durability. It is within this material many of the advantages are. Ceramic silicon carbide membranes provide:

• Highest flux for any membrane material
• Chemically inert pH 0-14
• Thermally resistant up to 800 ˚C
• Hydrophilic material (Water-loving)
• Extremely hard and durable material 2930 +/- 80 kgf/mm3 (Vickers scale)
• Abrasive feeds
• Low power usage and low pressure
• Long membrane lifetime
• Low operational cost and low total cost of ownership

Of all membrane materials, silicon carbide provides the highest water flux, which means that ceramic membranes provide the endurance to manage such a task regardless of what liquid is to be filtered. Furthermore, this material is chemically inert in all pH values from 0-14. This material is also thermally resistant up to 800°C so ceramic membranes can operate in rough conditions and with many liquids. Silicon carbide is a hydrophilic material, meaning that the material is water-loving. This is seen as the surface absorbing liquids. Simultaneously, this material repels oils, which are to be sorted out. Finally, ceramic membranes contribute to economic sustainability due to environmentally sustainable operations, including reduced power usage and operational costs. Likewise, ceramic membranes are exceptionally robust, which provides a long lifetime and, thereby, a low total cost of ownership.