Membrane TechnologySince 2000 our development and marketing efforts at H2O Innovation have focused on membrane technology. Today we have recognized expertise in the field and are able to exploit the full potential of this technology, now acknowledged as the safest and most efficient alternative for treating drinking water and process water, and for recycling water.
These safe and highly effective membranes act as veritable barriers, producing consistent water quality that exceeds the strictest standards, with almost no added chemical products. H2O Innovation technology systematically removes all pathogens, bacteria, and viruses while reducing color, turbidity, and mineral content. Membrane filtration is also a solution considered to remove cyanobacteria.
Better assessment for better treatment
Over the years we have also acquired in-depth knowledge in the application of water treatment solutions. We have used this expertise to develop a rigorous process for assessing the water quality needs of clients:
- Quality assessment of water to be treated
- On-site piloting for critical applications using a strict protocol custom-developed for individual needs
- Determination of optimal treatment lines based on water quality parameters
- Evaluation and selection of pre- and post-treatments based on specific client needs
- Development of new treatment techniques
About membrane technology
Membrane technology uses membranes as positive barriers between raw water and treated water that has penetrated the membrane’s microscopic pores. Membrane filtration capabilities are classified according to the following spectrum, based on the size of the membrane pores:
- Microfiltration (MF)
- Ultrafiltration (UF)
- Nanofiltration (NF)
- Reverse osmosis (RO)
NF and RO membranes are usually operated according to a cross flow mode, which has a raw water inlet, a filtered water outlet (permeate), and another outlet for residual water (concentrate). More recently, dead-end filtration modes whereby residual water is momentarily blocked have been used to attain higher rates of recovery.
Microfiltration
This technology is defined as a solid–liquid separation process with a molecular weight cutoff between 0.1 µm and 10 µm. Microfiltration prevents passage of suspended particles, protozoa (cryptosporidium and giardia), bacteria, lipids and fats, as well as certain macromolecules. It is generally used for the production of drinking water and wastewater treatment.
Ultrafiltration
Ultrafiltration allows filtration of smaller particles than microfiltration, with a molecular weight cutoff between 0.01 µm and 0.1 µm. It blocks all bacteria and viruses as well as most molecules, such as proteins and high molecular weight organic polymers. It is used for various applications, such as producing drinking water, treating wastewater, and treating process water (agrifood, biotech, petrochemical, and municipal industries).
Nanofiltration
In addition to blocking the same things as ultrafiltration, nanofiltration stops divalent ions, dissolved organic material, and sugars. It allows partial demineralization in order to produce drinking water from slightly brackish water. It also allows the production of drinking water from colored surface water, and is used to concentrate maple sap for the production of maple syrup.
Nanofiltration is among the solutions planned to remove blue-green algae.
Reverse osmosis
If two aqueous solutions of different salinity are separated by a semi-permeable membrane, osmosis will cause water to pass through the membrane toward the more concentrated solution, thereby diluting it. By applying sufficient pressure on the more concentrated liquid, the direction of osmosis can be reversed. In this way, we can mechanically reverse the flow and separate the concentrated solution into its constituents: water and dissolved solids. One part is called the permeate (or filtrate) and the other the return flow (or concentrate).
Reverse osmosis is a type of filtration whereby suspended solids and ionic particles can be separated. The membrane blocks aqueous salts, atomic rays, metal ions, etc. This process is used mainly for demineralization and desalination.
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