PROJECT: MEMUS, ULTRASOUND ASSISTED FILTRATION

For many years the Laboratoire de Rhéologie et Procédés has been working on ultrasounds and their use in the intensification of industrial processes. The application targeted in the MEMUS project concerns membrane filtration, one of the most widely used processes, particularly in the food industry, chemistry and effluent treatment.

During these filtration operations, the membranes clogging is a key issue which limits the performance of the filtration units, increases the energy consumption of the pumps and requires frequent washing, which interrupts the process.

After a validation of their concept on a laboratory scale, researchers from the LRP are now developing an ultrasound-assisted tubular filtration module that can be installed on industrial equipment. The principle of this technology lies in the emission of ultrasounds close to the filtration membrane, which increases the transmembrane flow and reduces the clogging phenomenon. This module is currently adapted to tubular membranes, but other configurations are being considered to combine the technology with flat, hollow fibre or polymer membranes.

The MEMUS project benefits from a support from the technology transfer company Linksium as part of its maturation programme. A pilot scale set up was installed on the PEI platform and a PhD has started recently to work on the enhancement of the process.