What Is Ultrafiltration?

Ultrafiltration

What is ultrafiltration?

Ultrafiltration is, as its name suggests, a water filtration method. This water filtration system enables the removal of a large number of impurities present in water. Its main function is to remove viruses and bacteria present in water.

Explore water ultrafiltration systems

System components

First, the system is equipped with the same series of pre-filters as our RO systems: a polypropylene filter, an activated carbon block filter, and a granular activated carbon filter. The first filter removes large impurities such as sand and dust. Next come the activated carbon filters, which will remove chlorine and organic molecules.

How the membrane works

Finally, the water passes through the ultrafiltration membrane. This membrane works like a very fine 0.01μ sieve. Viruses, bacteria, organic macromolecules, colloids, nitrogen pollutants, and many other substances are thus filtered out to obtain healthier water.

Comparison with reverse osmosis

The two filtration systems do not work the same way. First, ultrafiltration filters at approximately 0.01 μ and an RO system at approximately 0.001 μ. You therefore get purer water with an RO system.

Although the pre-filtration system remains the same, the difference between the two systems comes when the water passes through the membranes. With ultrafiltration, the membrane acts like a very fine sieve and retains particles larger than 0.01 μ. In addition, an ultrafiltration system does not discharge water into the drain.

With reverse osmosis, however, it is a different story. The pressure exerted by the pump (or by the water supply) forces water through a semipermeable barrier. This barrier, whose pores measure only 0.0001 μ, lets only the smallest molecules through, namely water (H2O) and a few minerals (mainly calcium and magnesium). The water that does not pass through this membrane is discharged into the drain.

To sum up, ultrafiltration is good, but reverse osmosis is better in terms of filtration quality, although the latter method uses more water because of the wastewater.