Ultrafiltration: An Effective Barrier Against Impurities and Microorganisms
An ultrafiltration (UF) system is a water treatment process using microporous membranes to remove suspended particles, colloids, bacteria, and a large proportion of viruses.
It provides clear, stable, and safe water, suitable for numerous industrial, hospital, and drinking water applications.
At SFEC, we custom design, install, and maintain ultrafiltration systems, integrated into complete treatment chains or used as pretreatment before other processes such as reverse osmosis.
Our objectives:
Ensure consistent water quality and compliance with current standards
Ensure facility protection and sanitary safety
Reduce operating costs through reliable and automated solutions
Operating Principle of an Ultrafiltration System
Ultrafiltration relies on water passing through porous membranes with openings measuring between 0.01 and 0.1 µm.
Under moderate pressure, only water molecules and dissolved salts pass through the membrane, while suspended solids and microorganisms are retained.
Pre-filtration
Removal of large particles to preserve membranes
Membrane Filtration
Physical retention of impurities and microorganisms
Automatic rinsing and backwashing
Regular membrane cleaning to maintain performance
Storage or post-treatment
Depending on the application (drinking water production, industrial process, RO feed, etc.)
Our Custom Ultrafiltration Solutions
SFEC designs ultrafiltration systems adapted to all operating contexts:
Compact Ultrafiltration Units
- Modular design and reduced footprint
- Variable flow rates, from a few m³/h to several hundred
- Automated operation with continuous monitoring
Industrial Ultrafiltration Systems
- High-resistance materials: stainless steel, PVC, PVDF
- PLC control and centralized supervision
- Possible integration upstream of processes such as reverse osmosis or UV disinfection
Installations for Drinking Water and Hospital Use
- Complete elimination of bacteria, cysts, and viruses
- Compliance with sanitary requirements
- Simplified maintenance and continuous operation
Advantages of Ultrafiltration
Ultrafiltration provides essential water security and stability for industrial, hospital, and drinking water production applications.
By retaining particles and microorganisms, it improves water quality, protects downstream equipment, and reduces chemical requirements.
Elimination of Particles and Microorganisms
Retains bacteria, viruses, and colloids for perfectly clear water.
Water Quality Stability
Consistent performance, even with variations in raw water quality.
Reduction of Operating Costs
Less maintenance and cleaning of downstream equipment.
Low Energy Consumption
Low-pressure operation for optimized efficiency.
Protection of Sensitive Processes
Ensures the reliability of production, washing, or drinking water treatment facilities.
Areas of Application
Ultrafiltration is applicable in numerous industrial and collective sectors, wherever water quality must be controlled to meet technical, sanitary, or environmental requirements:
- Pretreatment before reverse osmosis or nanofiltration
- Production of drinking water or process water
- Food and beverage industry: wash water, formulation, ingredients
- Hospital sector: sterilization, dialysis, domestic hot water circuits
- Pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry: purification and microbiological safety
- Recycling and reuse of industrial water
- Treatment of surface water or well water
Questions and Answers
What is the Difference between Ultrafiltration and Microfiltration?
Ultrafiltration retains viruses and macromolecules, unlike microfiltration, which acts on coarser particles.
Does Ultrafiltration Make Water Potable?
Yes, provided it is combined with complementary disinfection (chlorination, UV, ozonation).
What is the Efficiency of an Ultrafiltration System?
Between 90% and 95%, depending on the raw water quality and system configuration.
Do Membranes Require Frequent Maintenance?
No, the systems are equipped with automatic rinsing and backwashing cycles.
Can Ultrafiltration and Reverse Osmosis be Combined?
Yes, ultrafiltration is an excellent pretreatment to protect reverse osmosis membranes.
What is the Lifespan of Ultrafiltration Membranes?
On average, between 3 and 5 years, depending on the quality of the treated water and the frequency of cleaning operations.
SFEC, global water treatment expert
Ultrafiltration naturally integrates into the comprehensive treatment solutions developed by SFEC:
SFEC supports its clients from design to maintenance, with turnkey solutions that comply with the strictest quality requirements.
Do you want to ensure clear and safe water for your facilities?
Our experts advise you and design your ultrafiltration system tailored to your needs.