MEMUS

This technology addresses the serious problem encountered in any membrane process: it concerns the clogging of the membrane. The proposed solution could be an alternative to the repeated and necessary cleaning of industrial membrane filtration units, which generates a significant economic and environmental expense.

The MEMUS technology offers a tubular filtration module assisted by ultrasound integrated in an industrial membrane demonstrator. The module matches an off-the-shelf standard module that can also be directly installed on existing installations for more practicality. The innovation lies in the coupling of these two techniques and in particular in the vibration properties transmitted to the module.

The technology enables the rate of production to be increased by 20 to 30% compared to an equivalent filtration unit without ultrasound.
It can also operate in continuous mode, thereby avoiding production shutdowns and a drop in the company’s profitability.

Validated in the laboratory, the development of an industrial-scale demonstrator for a feasibility study with a partner to be decided on is currently under study. The technology uses a stainless steel module of different dimensions and diameter able to receive up to seven tubular chemical membranes. Other configurations and modules can then be planned, such as the use of flat membranes or hollow, ceramic or polymer fibres.

The MEMUS technology enables the optimisation of all compatible membrane filtration processes. The targeted areas of application are the treatment of effluents and the dairy industry. In general, the treatment of different aqueous, acid or basic solutions, containing particles.