Filtration Resources

Hold up volume in Skid Mount Membrane Systems can lead to inefficiencies, contamination, and inaccurate measurements. Removing it is essential for optimal performance in filtration and process applications. Alongside our Vacuum Recovery Kit, another effective method is using pressurized air to purge unwanted fluid from lines, valves, and fittings. 

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — including well-known compounds like PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) — are a class of synthetic chemicals derived from fluorinated hydrocarbons. Because the carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest in organic chemistry, PFAS persist indefinitely in the environment, earning them the name “forever chemicals.” 

Pressure-driven membrane technology has become a cornerstone process for protein separation and purification, offering a scalable and gentle alternative to traditional thermal and chemical methods Among the various membrane-based processes available today, pressure-driven processes, microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF), are most applicable due to their simplicity, scalability, and gentle operating conditions. These processes are used across biotechnology, dairy, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries. 

Polypropylene (PP) membranes have long been used across laboratory, pharmaceutical, medical device, and microelectronics industries. Their inherent hydrophobicity, broad chemical compatibility, and reliable airflow performance made them a preferred material for solvent filtration, particle control, and venting applications. As availability of polypropylene membrane products decreases, engineers and process specialists are evaluating alternative materials to maintain performance and supply continuity. 

Membrane selection critically impacts device performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance in specific applications. For diagnostic equipment, point-of-care devices, and therapeutic systems alike, three technical considerations determine the optimal solution for accelerating time to market while meeting demanding performance specifications.

In Part 1 of this series, we explored membrane technologies commonly applied in produced water treatment, with a focus on the membrane types used to target key contaminants across different treatment stages. This second installment focuses on the testing systems required to accurately evaluate membrane performance under corrosive, high-pressure conditions that closely resemble field environments. Effective system design and material selection are essential for generating reliable data and supporting the scale-up of produced water treatment processes.

Oleophobic is a special type of material that has either an innate resistance or a special surface treatment to resist wicking of low surface tension liquids. Derived from the Greek words oleum (oil) and phobos (fear), oleophobic literally means “oil-fearing”. These materials repel oil and oil-like substances, making them essential for protecting sensitive components. One way to determine a material’s oleophobic property is by observing how a liquid droplet beads on the surface—the wider the contact angle, the greater the resistance to wetting. 

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is a powerful analytical technique used in laboratories to separate, identify, and quantify components in a sample. Proper sample preparation is crucial for achieving accurate and reliable results. One essential step in this process is filtration using syringe filters to remove particulates that could clog the HPLC column and interfere with analysis. 

Produced water, a major byproduct of oil and gas extraction, contains hydrocarbons, salts, metals, and chemicals, with chloride and sodium being most prevalent. The water-to-oil ratio can range from 3 to 10, depending on the well. Managing this complex wastewater is challenging, driving the use of membrane technologies that efficiently meet discharge and reuse standards compared to conventional methods.

Biodiversity is a key indicator of environmental health. How dispersed and varied species are in each ecosystem is a good way for scientists to map different environmental factors that signal how an ecosystem reacts to changes brought about by human activity, climate change, or invasive species¹.