How does a hollow fiber membrane work to filter water?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the functioning of hollow fiber membranes (HFM) in water filtration, exploring the mechanisms involved, the effectiveness of the filtration process, and practical applications. Participants inquire about the process and limitations of HFM in filtering water.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the basic process of how HFM filters water and what contaminants it can or cannot remove.
  • One participant describes the process as water molecules passing through small openings in the membrane, suggesting that larger particles are unable to pass.
  • A participant proposes a simplified method of using HFM to filter pool water, raising questions about the practicality and effectiveness of this approach.
  • Another participant clarifies that the water that does not pass through the membrane is termed retentate, while the filtered water is referred to as filtrate, indicating a more complex process than simply pouring water through the membrane.
  • Concerns are raised about achieving reasonable throughput, energy effectiveness, selectivity, and fouling, suggesting that the filtration process involves significant challenges.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the simplicity of the filtration process and the effectiveness of using HFM in practical scenarios. There is no consensus on the best approach or the limitations of HFM.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of the filtration process, including issues related to throughput, energy efficiency, and fouling, which remain unresolved in the discussion.

RICKYtan
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What is the process?
And can/cannot it filter out?
 
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RICKYtan said:
What is the process?
And can/cannot it filter out?
The process is that the water molecules pass through little openings in the structure of the membrane that are so small nothing bigger gets through. :smile:
 
Is it as simple as obtaining a handful of strands of HFM that are rubberbanded at both ends, filling a cup with pool water and carefully pouring (making sure all the water goes through it) on the HFM so that the water that makes it to the other end is collected in a bowl?? and that collected water will be "purified"?
 
What makes it to the other end hasn't passed through the membrane and is called the retentate. It's the stuff that goes through the membrane (the filtrate) that is considered the pure product.
It might just be a little more complicated than pouring a cup of pool water in at the top -- witness the petabytes of publications every year on the various subjects: achieving a reasonable throughput is awkward, energy effectiveness, selectivity, fouling, etc. etc. Google is your friend.
 
RICKYtan said:
making sure all the water goes through it
Through what - out the other end. No. The membrane part of the HFM filters the particles, just as BVU stated.
 

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