Page 2 - Filtration Resources

Accurate membrane testing starts with a clean, properly conditioned membrane. Whether working with ceramic membrane or flat sheet membranes, pre-conditioning is a critical first step. It removes residual particulates and surface residues that can interfere with initial performance measurements, ensuring that test results reflect the true capabilities of the membrane rather than artifacts from contamination.

Membrane flat sheet test cells and housings are essential tools in research and development laboratories. They allow researchers to quickly gather data on rejection, flux, and fouling behavior, helping accelerate membrane development and application testing. 

Industrial wastewater treatment presents unique challenges due to complex feed compositions and high salt concentrations. Traditionally, safe disposal or reuse of such wastewater has aimed to minimize environmental risks while conserving freshwater resources. For instance, in offshore oil and gas operations, produced water is often treated with moderate technologies—such as dissolved air flotation or chemical precipitation—before ocean discharge.

Contamination in food can fall into one of three categories: Physical, Chemical or Biological. Physical contaminants are solid particles that may come from the preparation process or food byproducts not intended to be consumed. 

Crossflow Filtration (CFF) and Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) describe a highly efficient method used across membrane-based separation workflows. Although the terms may vary by industry, the process is the same: fluid flows tangentially across a membrane surface, allowing smaller molecules to pass through while larger particles are retained and swept along the surface. 

Selecting the appropriate membrane is a critical step in the development of any product involving filtration, separation, or fluid control. However, with a wide range of materials, pore sizes, and surface treatments available, identifying the optimal solution can be time-consuming and complex, especially during early-stage development. Sterlitech’s membrane sample packs are designed to help R&D teams and engineers streamline the material selection process, reduce risk, and accelerate development timelines. 

In any laboratory setting, efficient liquid waste disposal is essential for maintaining a safe and contamination-free workspace. Lab aspiration systems play a crucial role in removing supernatants, culture media, and other liquid waste, but with multiple options available, selecting the right system for your workflow can be challenging. Explore a comparison of lab aspiration systems designed to help you identify the right fit for your needs.

Inorganic membranes distinguish themselves from polymeric membranes through their superior resistance to organic solvents, high thermal tolerance, and the absence of organic extractables and leachables. Unlike polymer-based materials, inorganic membranes are not composed of carbon-based molecular networks, which enhances their chemical stability. Among these, aluminum oxide (AO) membranes offer additional advantages, including precisely defined pore sizes, low adsorption, and minimal autofluorescence, making them particularly well-suited for high-resolution imaging and microscopy applications.¹ 

Membrane performance can vary due to lot-to-lot variance, making it reasonable to expect performance differences when testing  a smaller area of membrane. Polymeric membranes are widely used across various industries and are typically produced in large batches using processes such as phase inversion and interfacial polymerization. Achieving consistent performance across the entire membrane area, and across different batches is challenging due to the complexity of the production process and the scale of manufacturing. The following sections provide a short summary of the membrane production process, focusing on phase inversion and interfacial polymerization techniques.

Welcome back to Part 2 of our guide on getting the most out of your vacuum system. In Part 1, we shared tips on optimizing your vacuum system and ensuring seamless operation. If you missed it, you can read it here. In this installment, we’ll build on that foundation and explore maintenance, safety and usage tips, warranty, and how to order.