Filtration Resources

Sterlitech would like to notify our customers that we now offer additional Dow FilmTec flat sheet membranes for reverse osmosis. These are available in varied types, fluxes, and rejections. 

Equipment down time is never part of an experimental plan, but the reality is assembly instructions aren’t always clear, equipment needs to be maintained, and components need to be replaced with wear.  Or maybe, you’ve inherited a product and just aren’t sure whether you have all of the components or it’s in a ready state for use. Whether you’re a new user navigating initial start up, or a long time user in the middle of an experiment in need of immediate assistance, following paper manuals, written instructions, or waiting for a response can be trying.

Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF), or Crossflow Filtration, is a physical separation technique that uses the size difference between the liquid particles and the membrane pores to separate them. A substantial distinction is established between ceramic (inorganic) and polymeric (organic) materials in the manufacture of TFF membranes. To address the restrictions of polymeric membranes, ceramic membranes were created in the 1980s, allowing TFF to be used in additional applications. Initially developed for its use in extreme conditions, ceramics have become mainstay membranes in a number of industries, including environmental, food and beverage, biopharma, chemical, gas, and electronics. However, costs associated with evaluating at scale may deter new users.

Priorities change as science evolves; shouldn’t your lab equipment too? Sterlitech’s innovative Convertible Skid incorporates multiple pumps, liquid tanks, pressure and temperature controls that enable its users to operate in multiple modes: pressure-driven membrane filtration (Reverse Osmosis, Microfiltration, Ultrafiltration, and Nanofiltration), osmotically-driven (Forward Osmosis), and temperature-driven (Membrane Distillation) processes. 

Let’s say you’re an application engineer in the textile industry, and you’re tasked with finding the right technology to separate dye from wastewater. There are specific questions you need to ask to guide you into making the best choice possible.

Pre-Conditioning, Use, and Preservation

What is membrane preconditioning and why is it recommended to precondition new flat sheet or spiral wound membranes prior to use?

Membrane preconditioning is a filtration step using deionized water as feed solution and is typically performed at a pressure equal to or higher than the anticipated testing pressure. During this process membrane pores are wetted and the membrane structure may go through compaction or swelling, affecting both the permeate flux and the rejection values. Preconditioning will help ensure that the membrane performs according to the specs provided by the manufacturer.

If it ain’t broke...

One of a handful of challenges the regulated cannabis industries face today is creating an end-product at a price point that competes with long-established illicit supply chains.

Retain more process fluids, save time and budget on maintenance, increase heat transfer efficiency by up to 50%, and integrate into your existing system, or upgrade to a new skid-mounted heater exchange system.

We want to do better.

Novamem flat sheet distillation membranes are being discontinued by the manufacturer as of October 23, 2020. Limited quantities of these flat sheet membranes are available at the moment.

Product: Novamem PEEK and PVDF Membranes

Manufacturer: Novamem

Applications:

• Sea and Brackish Water Desalination
• Process Water Treatment
• Wastewater Treatment
• Separation of Clean Water from Oil in Water Emulsions

Effective December 18, 2020 FTSH2O Membranes will be packaged in a storage solution of 0.09% sorbic acid + 0.09% potassium sorbate. Membranes were previously stored in a food grade 1% sodium metabisulfite solution.

The reason for the change was to use a more human and environmentally friendly solution.

Post use, the membrane should be rinsed with water after testing and stored in clean water (if the storage is a short duration, ie. 24 hours).   If the membrane, now exposed to organics, is rinsed with water and expected to be stored for > 48 hours, it's recommend to use a 1% sodium metabisulfite to prevent bacterial growth from occurring.

Forward Osmosis Membranes are used in an array of wastewater recycling and water reclamation applications.