Objective comparison of membrane performance for optimal processing now possible
by Coen AkkermanNIZO food research has developed a pilot facility for testing membranes on flux, retention, and cleaning properties. It is now possible to determine the optimal product/membrane/process condition combination. Lower operational costs and higher yield from raw materials can thus be realized.
Membrane filtration is increasingly being applied for operations in the food industry. Mild separation, improved membranes, relatively low energy use and decreasing cost of installations have all added to this growth. The number of commercially available membranes is considerable. However, on one point the market fails to meet customer needs: due to the lack of standardization and the high diversity of applications and membranes one can’t tell the trees from the forest. As a result, the product/membrane/process conditions combination selected is often far from optimal. This can lead to loss in capacity, product loss, reduced quality, short life span of membranes and unnecessarily high use of energy and chemicals.
NIZO food research has therefore developed a pilot facility with which – independently and at small scale – the optimal product/membrane/process condition combination can be determined. The results can directly be translated to industrial level.
This machine, developed by senior expert Coen Akkerman with his group at NIZO, can be used for MF, UF, NF, RO and DF The installation is suitable for spiral wound, tubular and flat plate membranes. Ceramic or organic, all are possible. Very relevant for industry is that because of its hygienic design, the installation can be used for food grade applications.
An extra advantage lies in the fact that, because of the small hold-up, little raw material is needed and the hold-up can be recuperated from the facility in undiluted form at the end of the experiment. Advanced automation ensures precise control and data acquisition. “Because the machine is fixed to a skid, it can be operated anywhere,” explains Akkerman, “and because of precise temperature control it can be employed in a wide range of conditions. In addition to testing the cleaning operation, we can also sterilise thermally, which makes it highly suitable for biotechnological and pharmaceutical application.”