Benchtop Tubular Ceramic Ultrafiltration (UF) Membrane Separation Tester (0.1 m2), EBTCUFMST

A Tubular Ceramic Ultrafiltration (UF) Membrane Separation Tester (benchtop/pilot cross-flow filtration skid) is designed to evaluate flux kinetics, fouling mechanisms, separation efficiency, and backwash protocols for rigid inorganic membranes (Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2, or SiC) operating under aggressive chemical, thermal, or high-solids conditions.

The standard experimental test protocols are mainly shown below: (1) Membrane Compaction & Pre-Conditioning: Circulate DI water through the virgin element at maximum design TMP (1.2 * operating pressure) for 30–60 minutes until flux stabilizes, establishing clean membrane resistance (Rm). (2) Critical Flux (J_crit) Determination: Stepwise increase in TMP at fixed CFV while recording steady-state flux. Identify the transition point where J deviates from linearity with TMP (marking the onset of irreversible fouling and cake-layer consolidation). (3) Concentration & Separation Runs: Total Recycle Mode: Both permeate and retentate return to the feed reservoir to evaluate steady-state flux and separation efficiency at constant feed concentration. Batch Concentration Mode: Permeate is continuously drawn off to measure flux decline as a function of volumetric concentration factor (VCF = V0 / Vt). (4) Fouling Resistance In-Series Analysis: Using Darcy’s law extended for membrane fouling:

References:

1. S. Barredo-Damas, et al., Ceramic membrane behavior in textile wastewater ultrafiltration, Desalination, 2010, 250, 623-628. 

2. A. Oun, et al. Tubular ultrafiltration ceramic membrane based on titania nanoparticles immobilized on macroporous clay-alumina support: Elaboration, characterization and application to dye removal, Separation and Purification Technology, 2017, 188, 126-133
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