Alpha alumina
Porous support and microfiltration layers. Rigidity and mechanical resistance.
Ceramic membranesCeramic plants.
Ceramic plants.
Separation down to 200 Da.
Cross-flow filtration engineering for extreme pH, hot streams and demanding cleaning. MF, UF and NF modules and plants using high-performance ceramic materials.
The advantage starts with the materialTechnical ceramics.
Technical ceramics.
Molecular selectivity.
A porous inorganic structure supports the selective layer inside the channels. The feed flows tangentially; permeate passes through the wall and the retained fraction becomes concentrated.
We combine support, selective layer and geometry to achieve the separation. The range extends from particles to small molecules, with ceramic nanofiltration down to 200 Da nominal MWCO.
Gamma alumina
Selective ultrafiltration layers for macromolecule separation.
Titanium oxide
MF, UF and NF layers. Selectivity extending to the subnanometre scale.
Zirconium oxide
MF and UF layers, with options for fine separation and chemical resistance.
Ceramic nanofiltration200 Da
Minimum nominal molecular-weight cut-off in the range.
From microns to the molecular scale.
MF70–800 nm
Particles and suspensions
UF2–100 kDa
Colloids and macromolecules
NF200–750 Da
Smaller solutes
NF references include TiO₂ layers rated at 0.9 nm / 450 Da and 1.0 nm / 750 Da. MWCO describes a nominal molecular-weight cut-off; retention of each compound is determined using the actual feed.
Selection ranges within the portfolio. Material, cut-off and geometry are specified in the datasheet of the proposed membrane.
Technology advantages under demanding conditionsA wider thermal window.
A wider thermal window.
More cleaning options.
Ceramic stability is valuable where chemistry, heat or membrane regeneration constrain production.
Hot processing
A system designed for the operating temperature can retain heat and simplify conditioning stages.
Handling demanding chemistry
We select the membrane material for acidic or alkaline media, or compatible solvents, together with the seals and housing.
Restore productivity
Cross-flow sweeping, backwashing and intensive CIP support permeability recovery.
| Design constraint | Cross-flow ceramic filtration | Polymeric membrane |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature and chemistry | A broad selection of inorganic materials for demanding service. | Operating window determined by the polymer and module. |
| Intensive cleaning | Greater scope to restore performance under demanding cleaning protocols. | Concentration, oxidants and temperature kept within the specified limits. |
| Element stability | Rigid support and ceramic selective layer. | Fibres, sheets or tubes with properties specific to each material. |
| Economic criteria | Durability, availability and resource recovery. | Attractive capital cost and compactness under compatible conditions. |
pH, temperature and pressure limits are specified for the complete membrane, gasket and module assembly. They are selected together for continuous service and cleaning.
Ceramic filtration applicationsDemanding separations.
Demanding separations.
Valuable resources.
We define retention and the destination of each stream: recovering water, preserving useful components or concentrating the fraction requiring management.
Milk and whey
Protein fractionation, clarification and component recovery using the appropriate cut-off.
Process advantageStream valorisation and hygienic design.
CIP solutions
Separation of retainable soil in acidic or alkaline cleaning solutions.
Process advantageRecover useful solution, water and heat.
Hot process streams
Filtration at process temperature in an assembly designed for the duty.
Process advantageReduce cooling and reheating.
Chemicals and extreme pH
Treatment of acidic or alkaline media, or solvents compatible with the selected materials.
Process advantageExtend the process operating window.
Emulsions and oils
Separation of the dispersed phase in machining, washing and process waters.
Process advantageRecover the aqueous phase and concentrate the oil.
Textiles and laundry
Reduction of turbidity and retainable colour and organic fractions.
Process advantageReuse process water and retain heat.
Mineral solids
Clarification and concentration in mineral-loaded circuits; MF options for abrasive media.
Process advantageClose water loops and recover solids.
Beverages and fermentation
Clarification of beer, wine and other food streams by cross-flow filtration.
Process advantagePhysical separation and automated cleaning.
Molecular separation
Ceramic NF for selective separation of small organic compounds and certain dissolved ions.
Process advantageFine selectivity with inorganic resistance.
Application / dairy industryWhey: separate proteins.
Whey: separate proteins.
Concentrate the target fraction.
Technology is selected according to the target product. Ceramics stand out when fractionation must be combined with process temperature and intensive cleaning.
Neptuno designs the membrane system and its balances to recover components, produce usable permeate and reduce the volume sent downstream.
A process selection, not a mandatory sequence. We combine stages according to composition, temperature and target permeate and concentrate quality.
Custom engineering and manufacturingFrom ceramic element
From ceramic element
to complete plant.
We define a cross-flow unit suited to your feed and operating regime. The scope can be an integration module, a skid or a plant with its own CIP circuit.
- Cut-off, material and channels selected for viscosity, solids and the target component.
- Housings, seals and connections for the operating chemistry and temperature.
- Recirculation, TMP control, permeate and concentrate extraction.
- Instrumentation, automation, backwashing and CIP cleaning.
- Hygienic design and documentation requirements agreed with the engineering team.
Technical and integration criteria
Project questions.
Where do ceramics offer a decisive advantage?
In streams where temperature, chemistry or demanding cleaning affect production continuity. The inorganic structure expands separation and regeneration options, with benefits for availability, service life and resource recovery.
What does reaching 200 Da mean?
It is the minimum nominal molecular-weight cut-off in the ceramic NF range. It enables small-molecule separation applications beyond the scope of MF and UF. We select the membrane and verify retention and flux for the compound of interest.
Can ceramic membranes process whey?
Yes. MF and UF support clarification and fractionation, including protein concentration. For lactose or other small solutes, we assess NF; where the objective is water removal and stream concentration, we assess RO. Ceramics add value through their hot-processing capability and cleanability.
What can be recovered besides water?
CIP solutions, process components and heat from hot streams. We define what should remain in each fraction to reduce resource losses and the volume requiring management.
Do you manufacture plants or only supply elements?
Both. Neptuno can specify and supply integration modules, manufacture a skid or develop a cross-flow filtration plant with recirculation, instrumentation, automation and CIP. We coordinate materials, interfaces and documentation with your engineering team.
How are pH and temperature limits defined?
We start with operating and cleaning conditions and select the ceramic layer, support, seals and housing together. This turns material resistance into a defined plant capability, with an operating specification established for the project.
Your next step
Request a technical proposal.
Send us your flow rate, water analysis and treatment objective.
We will review equipment selection, integration and the data needed to size your project. You can attach your water analysis or P&ID to your email.
Send project detailscomercial@neptunoes.comThe button opens your email with an enquiry template.