How does a hollow fiber membrane work to filter water?

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Hollow fiber membranes (HFM) filter water by allowing only water molecules to pass through tiny openings, while larger particles are retained. The process involves collecting the purified water, known as filtrate, from the side of the membrane, while the unfiltered material, or retentate, is left behind. While the concept may seem simple, practical implementation involves complexities such as achieving effective throughput, energy efficiency, and managing fouling. The filtration process requires careful design and operation beyond just pouring water through the membrane. Overall, HFMs are effective in purifying water but require a more sophisticated approach than a basic pouring method.
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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