First ask what must be separated
UF may fit a goal of thickening biomass or retainable solids while producing a clarified stream. Removing ammonium or dissolved salt needs another stage. Specify required flow and composition separately for permeate and concentrate.
The application page describes the treatment train; this guide focuses on whether the feed allows sustainable net flux, cleaning and concentration.
- Source and upstream stage: digestion, mechanical separation or coagulation.
- TSS, TS, total/soluble COD, ammonium, salinity, oils and fibres.
- Viscosity, particle size, temperature and batch variability.
Conditions that may rule it out
Long fibres or coarse solids can block the circuit; oil can accelerate fouling; rising viscosity can make concentrate pumping impractical. Include pretreatment losses, energy and maintenance in the comparison.
Published UltraFlux™ range maxima do not define a simultaneous operating point or guarantee flux. Case examples reflect particular feeds and conditions.
An independent pilot study of tubular UF on separated digestate found that pretreatment changed fouling morphology and recovery after cleaning. It supports testing the proposed digestate and train; it is not an UltraFlux™ measurement.
| Decision | Evidence needed |
|---|---|
| Can it enter the module? | Fibre and coarse-particle screening |
| Can it concentrate? | Flux and viscosity curve during concentration |
| Can it be cleaned? | Permeability recovery by cycle |
| Is permeate useful? | Analysis and destination |
Next engineering step
A staged test starts with representative feed, records flux, TMP and energy, raises concentration and closes balances. Acceptance includes net production after washing and outlet quality over a period long enough to capture process variation.
Before purchasing, agree on a pass/fail envelope for the most difficult feed state, not only average digestate. If the proposed pretreatment removes a valuable or problematic solids fraction, include that new outlet in the mass balance and in the cost estimate.
Common questions
Is permeate directly reusable water?
That cannot be assumed. Analyse it against its intended use; solutes, salts and ammonium may pass through.