Why Ceramic Membranes Are Changing The Marketplace

Microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes are a reliable technology for delivering consistent, high-quality water in a range of drinking water, wastewater, and industrial applications. Polymeric membranes have been around for a long time, largely supplanting sand filters. These membranes are designed to last up to 10 years before needing to be replaced, but far too many don’t make it that long. Fouling and damage to the filter and its pore structure can force premature changeouts that increase costs. In addition, frequent backwashes and chemical cleaning take up valuable operator time, create waste, and consume energy.

Ceramic membranes were developed as a more robust alternative to polymeric membranes. For years, engineers and plant managers struggled to accept the higher upfront costs associated with ceramic membrane system installations. However, with many ceramic membranes now in operation for 20 years or more, the long-term benefits of this technology have never been clearer. This article will outline how ceramic membranes deliver a return on investment (ROI) while providing the same (if not better) water quality results as polymeric membranes.