microfiltration system

Product Overview

A microfiltration system (MF system) is a pressure-driven precision membrane separation device. Its core filtration element is a filter membrane with uniformly distributed micropores on its surface, ranging from 0.1 to 10 μm in diameter. This membrane effectively removes suspended particles, colloids, bacteria, algae, and large organic molecules from water. Microfiltration is the most widely used and mature membrane water treatment technology, playing a crucial role in industrial wastewater treatment, reclaimed water reuse, reverse osmosis pretreatment, and terminal sterilization.

This system utilizes high-quality membrane modules and an automated control system, offering significant advantages such as high filtration accuracy, stable effluent quality, thorough backwashing, and easy maintenance. Hollow fiber membranes, flat sheet membranes, or tubular membranes can be selected according to different water qualities and treatment requirements. Membrane materials include PVDF, PTFE, PE, and ceramic membranes.

Working principle

Microfiltration systems achieve solid-liquid separation based on the principle of sieving. Water to be treated flows under pressure through the surface of the microfiltration membrane. Water molecules and dissolved substances smaller than the membrane pore size pass through the pores into the product water side, while suspended particles, colloids, bacteria, and some large organic molecules larger than the pore size are trapped on the membrane surface or inside the pores, thus achieving purification.

Depending on the filtration method, microfiltration systems can be divided into two operating modes:

Dead-end filtration: The influent flows perpendicularly to the membrane surface, and the trapped impurities gradually accumulate on the membrane surface to form a filter cake layer. This is suitable for influent with low suspended solids content.

Cross-flow filtration: The influent flows tangentially at high speed along the membrane surface. The water flow washes away impurities from the membrane surface, keeping the membrane surface relatively clean. This is suitable for influent with high suspended solids content and can maintain a longer filtration cycle.

As filtration time increases, the trapped impurities accumulate on the membrane surface, leading to an increase in transmembrane pressure and a decrease in product water output. At this point, the system automatically initiates the backwashing program—using a combination of air and water washing to flush away blockages in the membrane pores. Simultaneously, chemical cleaning can be used for deep regeneration, restoring membrane performance. The backwashing cycle typically occurs automatically every 30-60 minutes, with a backwash time of 60-90 seconds.

System Composition

This microfiltration system consists of the following core units:

Microfiltration Membrane Module:** The core of the system. Depending on water quality requirements, hollow fiber membranes, flat sheet membranes, or tubular membranes can be selected. Membrane materials include PVDF, PTFE, PE, and ceramic membranes.

Inlet Pump and Circulation Pump:** Provides stable inlet water pressure and cross-flow velocity for the system.

Backwashing System:** Equipped with air and water washing devices to achieve periodic automatic backwashing and regeneration of the membrane module.

Chemical Cleaning System:** Includes a cleaning water tank, cleaning pump, and dosing device for periodic deep cleaning of the membrane module.

Control System:** PLC fully automatic control, real-time monitoring of operating parameters such as pressure and flow rate, automatic switching between filtration/backwashing/cleaning programs, touchscreen operation, and remote monitoring.

Piping and Instrumentation:** Stainless steel or UPVC piping, equipped with pressure gauges, flow meters, pressure transmitters, and control valves.

Core advantages

Technical parameters (customizable)

Membrane Material Selection Guide

Application areas

Advanced Wastewater Treatment and Reuse: Used for advanced treatment of biochemical effluent from industries such as printing and dyeing, chemical, papermaking, and medicines, removing residual suspended solids and some large molecular organic matter to achieve wastewater reuse.

Membrane Water Treatment Pretreatment: Serves as a pretreatment unit for reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) systems, removing suspended solids, colloids, and bacteria from water, reducing the risk of subsequent membrane fouling, and extending membrane lifespan.

Greywater Reuse System: Serves as the core or pretreatment unit for greywater treatment, removing suspended solids, microorganisms, and turbidity from water to ensure the treated water meets reuse standards.

Municipal Wastewater Treatment: Used for advanced treatment in wastewater treatment plants, removing suspended solids and microorganisms from secondary sedimentation tank effluent to meet stricter discharge standards or reuse requirements.

Industrial Water Supply Treatment: Used for the purification of surface water and groundwater, removing algae, bacteria, and suspended impurities, serving as process water or cooling circulating water makeup water. Food, Beverage, and Pharmaceutical Industries: Used for clarification, sterilization filtration, and microbial separation and recovery from bio-fermentation broths.

Oilfield Reinjection Water Treatment: Removes suspended solids, oils, and microorganisms from water to meet reinjection water quality requirements.

Why Choose Us?

Extensive Experience in Water Treatment: Provides microfiltration systems for various industrial and municipal water treatment projects with precise process matching.

Flexible Membrane Material Selection: Recommends the most suitable membrane material and pore size based on wastewater characteristics to ensure optimal treatment results and maximum service life.

Fully Automated Integrated Control: PLC control system allows for independent operation or integration with upstream and downstream equipment.

Modular Design: Flexible configuration of membrane module quantity based on treatment volume facilitates phased construction and expansion.

Comprehensive Cleaning Solutions: Provides complete solutions for air washing, water washing, and chemical cleaning to ensure long-term stable operation of the membrane system.

Global Technical Support: Offers remote commissioning guidance and long-term spare parts supply.