Ultrafiltration is a separation process using membranes with pore sizes in the range of 0.1 to 0.001 micron. Typically, Ultrafiltration will remove high molecular-weight substances, colloidal materials, and organic and inorganic polymeric molecules.

Low molecular-weight organics and ions such as sodium, calcium, magnesium chloride, and sulfate are not removed.

UF Membranes only removes high-molecular weight species, the osmotic pressure differential across the membrane surface is negligible. Low applied pressures are therefore sufficient to achieve high flux rates from an ultrafiltration membrane.

Examples of fields where ultra filtration is applied are:

• The dairy industry (milk, cheese)

• The food industry (proteins)

• The metal industry (oil/ water emulsions separation, paint treatment)

• The textile industry