Our SiC Technology | Silicon Carbide Membrane Filtration

Our SiC Membrane Technology - Filtration

Our SiC Filters are manufactured with a silicon carbide ceramic membrane based on patented technology. We are not aware of other companies that make both the substrate (honeycomb) and the membrane (the part that accomplishes the filtering) solely from silicon carbide. This gives our membranes some unique advantages compared to traditional ceramic and polymeric membranes.

The ceramic membrane carrier is based on the so-called honeycomb or monolith structure as shown in the picture.

A number of parallel flow channels extend through the element in the porous support structure. The feed stream is introduced under pressure at one end of the element and flows through the channels during processing. The portion of the liquid passing through the membrane, the permeate, flows into the porous structure of the element. The combined volume of permeate from all flow channels flow toward the outer shell of the monolith support and is removed continuously.

See our membrane products

SiC Membrane Layer

Membrane technology perfect for liquid filtration and diesel particulate filters (DPFs) for the control of soot exhaust particles from diesel engines

The actual ceramic membranes are formed on the walls of the flow channels extending through the porous ceramic structure of the element by slip casting a specific coating of ceramic particles according to the desired pore size and distribution.

The coating material, containing the silicon carbide, is dried and sintered. This process ensures a strong bond with the carrier material and provides the membrane with its unique ruggedness and durability. Several layers may be deposited on top of each other in order to reach the desired combination of membrane pore sizes and water flux.

Please see picture for SiC membrane layers on top of a SiC carrier.

See Video Explanation of Membrane Layers

Unique Properties with Endless Opportunities

Features & Benefits

Perfect for harsh applications

Highest flux for any membrane material

The high flux is reached through high membrane porosity (~45%) and a material with low resistance to transport of water and a low contact angle. Reduce your foot print and system costs (less pipes, valves etc.)
Chemically inert pH 0-14

No limitations, fast cleaning, reduced down time during Cleaning in Place (CIP), filtration of acids and alkalis.
Thermally resistant up to 800°C

Steam cleaning, more efficient chemical cleaning, and high temperature applications.
Hydrophilic material (water loving)

Unmatched performance in oil/water separation.
Isoelectric point pH 2.4

Unmatched performance in oil/water separation – To some extent reduces fouling, easier to clean.
Extremely hard & durable material 2930 +/- 80 KG/MM³ (Vickers scale)

Robust and long life time, less down time and maintenance, stable operation, cleaning with shock pulses, and hard material.
Abrasive Feeds

Our SiC membranes are extremely durable, so abrasive feeds won’t damage the membrane.
Low power usage and low pressure

Our membrane systems typically use around 7 psi or 0.5 bar of pressure (depending on the feed water), so you save money on pumps and energy
Long membrane life

The SiC membrane is extremely durable (second hardest material in the world).
Low operational cost, low total cost of ownership

With very infrequent membrane replacement, low power usage, and moderate chemical usage, the operational costs of membrane systems are low, and the total cost of ownership and low maintenance profile is very favorable compared to other systems.

See our membrane products

Applications Areas

SiC filters are ideal for the treatment of:

Wastewater
Produced water
Pre-RO filtration
Polymer flooded streams
Control of soot exhaust particles
... and many more

See our system filtration solutions

Comparison of different membrane materials

Silicon carbide is the best material for filtration applications

	Membrane Material
Type	SiC	Other ceramic	Polymer
Cost of ownership	+++	++	+
Lifetime	+++	++	+
Flux	+++	++	+
Chemical resistance	+++	++	+
Energy savings	+++	++	+
Recovery rate	+++	++	+
Fouling tendency	+++	++	+
Relaxation time	None	None	Yes
Temperature resistance	+++	++	+
Hardness	+++	++	+
Porosity	+++	++	+

Crossflow Filtration Principle Liqtech — CROSS FLOW FILTRATION PRINCIPLE

Filtration Principle (inside-out)

Cross-flow and dead end filtration (inside-out)

Our range of CoMem and CoMem Conduit elements are designed for cross flow filtration of liquids with high amounts of suspended solids, oil, algae, bacteria etc.

Cross flow filtration is a filtration method where the feed flow is tangential to the surface of the membrane in order to sweep rejected particles and solutes away. The feed fluid is separated into two product streams, the permeate, which is depleted of the rejected particles, and the retentate (or waste/concentrate), which is enriched in those particles.

The advantage of using cross flow filtration is the superior handling of liquids with high solids content, as the retained particles are being continuously removed from the membrane surface. In addition to the cleaning mechanism of cross flow filtration, the tubular membranes can be cleaned a traditional backwash, back pulse and/or periodic chemical cleaning.

See Inside-out filtration Illustration

Flat Sheet Membrane Filtration Principle Liqtech.Jpg — FLAT SHEET MEMBRANE PRINCIPLE

Filtration Principle (outside-in)

Submerged modules for vacuum driven filtration (outside-in)

Our range of FSM are offered as individual sheets or as ready to implement filtration modules which consists of multiple membranes built into a robust resin.

The FSM are used in submerged vacuum driven filtration systems which are based on several stacks of modules built into filtration racks. The filtration mode is outside-in and cleaning is performed by a combination of airscouring, CEB (Chemical Enhanced Backwash) along with periodic chemical cleaning.

See ouside-in filtration illustration