ULTRAFILTRATION
 

Generally, water treatment involves filtration followed by disinfections. In both processes, chemical products are used, hence the term "physical-chemical treatment". 

Ultrafiltration is solely a physical process in which the two operations are carried out concurrently. The technique consists in passing water through porous membranes in the form of long hollows fibres. The membrane wall acts as a filter for all particles larger than 0.01 micron: polen, algae, parasites, basteria, viruses, germs and large organic molecules. The result is perfectly pure water.

This is an universal preocess that can be used independently or as part of a multi-stage treatment line. Clarification and disinfection are performed in a single-step.

What is the meaning of the prefix "ultra" ? 

The prefix "ultra" refers to the size of the membrane pores. There are three other membranes filtration processes, each producing a different result depending, among other things, on the size of the membrane pores.

• In microfiltration, the pores are larger and allow more impurities and micro-organisms.
• In nanofiltration, the pores are smaller and even retain some mineral salts in the water.
• Reverse osmosis, another membrane separation technique, is used to demineralise water, and notably for seawater desalination.

The Ultrafiltration membranes used in the Aqua Technique's technique are of the so-colled inner-skin type. The water to be treated circulates inside fibres or hollow tubes.