Ceramic Membrane Filtration

1 - Apple

Perfect for apple pomace

Apple pomace tends to have a high concentration of suspended solids. The problem of pomace with membrane filtration primarily relates to the challenges associated with filtering pomace, which consists of solid remnants like skins, seeds, and pulp from fruit after processing (such as winemaking or juice extraction). Ceramic membranes have a high mechanical strength. They withstand high pressure differentials during the filtration of apple pomace with high solids content. Microfiltration separates large suspended particles, which usually have a diameter of over 0.1 µm. The permeate obtained from microfiltration is clear and sterile under most conditions. See also: Pectin

2 - Beer

CIP / SIP for yeast separation

Enhanced sterility and aseptic conditions in beer production demand membranes equipped for Clean-in-Place (CIP) and Steam-in-Place (SIP) protocols. Ceramic membranes are particularly effective for separating and concentrating yeast from the fermentation broth. This capability facilitates efficient yeast recycling and reuse across batches, diminishing the reliance on fresh yeast and elevating fermentation consistency.

Now it's clear why the beer is so clear

Ceramic membranes are effective in beer clarification and filtration processes. They can remove fine particles, haze-forming proteins, and other impurities without affecting the flavor or quality of the beer. This leads to improved clarity and stability of the final product.

Water for beer production

Ceramic membranes are also employed in filtering utility water used in various stages of beer production, such as brewing, cleaning, and cooling. This ensures that water quality meets brewing standards and minimizes the risk of contamination.

Waste water of beer factories

Ceramic membranes can treat and recycle wastewater generated during beer production. They can efficiently remove suspended solids, organic compounds, and other contaminants from brewery effluents, enabling water reuse or safe disposal while meeting environmental regulations.

3 - Cheese

Reliability the way the cheesemaker likes it

Membrane filtration of milk with ceramic membranes causes far fewer problems than comparable operations with polymer membranes. This is because the ceramic membranes are much less susceptible to fouling and mechanical damage. In addition, cleaning the ceramic membrane is much easier and faster than cleaning polymer membranes. For example, expensive enzymes can be dispensed with completely because ceramic membranes allow higher temperatures and pH ranges.

A salt bath that makes really good cheese

Ceramic membranes make it very easy to filter the brine during cheese production. The ceramic membranes retain fat, fragments, bacteria etc. and produce a crystal-clear permeate. The membranes can be cleaned very well at intervals with very high temperatures and few chemicals. The service life of ceramic membranes is many times longer than that of polymer membranes.

4 - CIP

Chemical Stability: Your Advantage!

With ceramic membranes, acidic and alkaline CIP solutions can be filtered very well, even if the solutions are at high temperatures. The ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes separate fat, protein, sludge, bacteria, removed fouling layers, etc. very well and reliably. The permeate is absolutely clear and can be used again after targeted resharpening. By adding ceramic MF and UF membranes to the CIP cycle, the service life of the solutions can be increased and the COD emissions from production can be significantly reduced.

5 - Citrus

Juice Perfection with Reliable Membranes!

Ceramic ultrafiltration membranes can effectively clarify citrus juice by removing suspended solids, pectin, and other macromolecules. This process results in clearer juice with improved appearance and stability, reducing the need for traditional clarification methods like centrifugation or fining agents.

Separating and cleaning pulp and fibers

Ultrafiltration membranes can concentrate pulpy citrus juice by selectively retaining pulp but allowing water and smaller molecules to pass through.

Unlocking Essential Oils

Citrus peel contains valuable essential oils used in flavoring and fragrance industries. Ceramic ultrafiltration can extract and concentrate these oils from citrus peel extracts efficiently. The membranes separate the oil from water and other impurities, producing a concentrated, high-quality citrus oil product.

Treatment of wastewater from citrus plants

Ceramic ultrafiltration membranes can treat wastewater generated from citrus processing facilities . They remove suspended solids, organic matter, and color compounds from the wastewater, producing clean water that can be reused for cleaning or discharged safely into the environment.

By-products

Citrus processing generates by-products such as pectin, pulp . Ceramic ultrafiltration is used to process these valuable components products into ingredients for the food industry.

Recovering Enzymes

Enzymes are often used in citrus processing for juice extraction and clarification. Ceramic ultrafiltration can help recover and recycle these enzymes from process streams, reducing overall enzyme consumption and operational costs.

6 - Coffee Extract

High Selectivity and Efficiency

The extract of coffee can be influenced with ceramic ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes. Substances belonging to polyphenols, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, amino acids etc. can be separated in a targeted manner to influence the sensory, organoleptic and food properties of coffee products.

7 - Creme Cheese

Shear forces make a mouthful curd

Acidified milk is separated with ceramic membranes (MF and / or UF). The protein and fat accumulate in the retentate. A clever choice of membrane and suitable parameters bring the yield closer to the theoretical maximum value. The positive influence of the shear forces on the protein structure is extremely interesting. Curd produced with ceramic cross-flow MF or UF has a very fine texture, a very good water binding capacity and gives a mouthfeel of more fat than is actually present in the product.

8 - Dates

Unlock the sweet potential: Date Syrup, an undervalued delight!

Date syrup, also known as date honey or date molasses, offers several potential health benefits due to its natural composition and nutritional profile. Date syrup is not as widely recognized or popular as other sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup. Many consumers and even food manufacturers may be less familiar with date syrup and its potential uses. Date syrup often lacks effective marketing and promotion compared to more mainstream sweeteners. Limited advertising and promotional campaigns contribute to its lower visibility and consumer demand.

As consumers increasingly prioritize health and natural ingredients, date syrup's nutritional profile (including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants) presents a compelling alternative to refined sugars.

The power of Dates

9 - Edible Oil

Ceramic membranes are chosen for their high thermal and chemical stability, making them suitable for use with edible oils which often have high temperatures and can be chemically reactive.

Advantages of using ceramic UF and MF membranes with edible oils

10 - Eggs

Protein concentration

Ultrafiltration with ceramic allows for the concentration of egg white proteins by selectively retaining proteins while allowing smaller molecules like water and salts to pass through the membrane. This results in a more concentrated protein solution.

Reduction of microbial load

Ceramic microfiltration contributes to microbial reduction by effectively removing bacteria and microorganisms from egg white.

11 - Fermentation Broths

The reliable backbone in Downstream Processing

Ceramic membranes are employed in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors for the filtration and clarification of fermentation broths containing valuable bioproducts such as proteins, enzymes, antibiotics, and vaccines. The membranes efficiently separate biomass, cells, and impurities from the broth, resulting in clarified and concentrated solutions of desired bioproducts.

Indispensable in Food Production

Ceramic membranes are used in the food and beverage industry to filter fermentation broths involved in the production of various products such as alcoholic beverages (e.g., beer, wine), organic acids (e.g., citric acid), and flavor compounds (e.g., amino acids). The membranes assist in separating and concentrating target compounds while removing unwanted particles and contaminants, thereby improving product quality and consistency.

Biofuel Production

Ceramic membranes play a crucial role in biofuel production processes, particularly in the filtration of fermentation broths generated during ethanol and butanol fermentation from renewable feedstocks like sugars or lignocellulosic biomass. The membranes aid in separating fermentation byproducts and biomass residues from the biofuel solution, facilitating downstream purification and recovery processes.

Industrial Bioprocessing

Ceramic membranes find applications in various industrial bioprocessing activities, such as the production of organic acids (e.g., lactic acid, acetic acid) and specialty chemicals through fermentation processes. The membranes help in concentrating and purifying fermentation broths, enabling efficient downstream processing and product recovery.

12 - Gelatin

Gelatin Clarification

Ceramic microfiltration membranes are employed to clarify gelatin solutions derived from animal collagen sources, such as bones and skin. The membranes effectively remove suspended solids, fats, proteins, and other impurities present in the solution. However, carrying out the clarification process with ceramic membranes is not easy. You have to have very precise control over the speed and pressures and - depending on the type of gelatine - condition and specially clean the membranes.

Gelatin Concentration

Ceramic Ultrafiltration to concentrate Gelatin raw-solution to a high brix level.

13 - Milk

14 - Molasses

Ceramic Membranes are of enormous help in Molasse filtration

Ceramic Ultrafiltration and Microfiltration membranes are used in the processing of various melasses. Their great advantage is that they can filter the molasses, which is often very hot (60 to 90 °C), at these high temperatures.

The various Molasses

Molasses that have been filtered with ceramic membranes can be used in many foods. Molasses is added to peanut butter, for example.

15 - Pectin

16 - Plant Extracts

No milk alternatives

Plant-based drinks (liquids) are products in a category of their own and should not be seen as a mere alternative to milk. They are often made from plants such as soy, oats, almonds, coconut or rice, and plant-based liquids and cow's milk have very different nutrient profiles. Plant-based alternatives may contain some of the nutrients found in milk, but not of the same type and composition, and plant-based liquids have a different taste, texture (mouthfeel) and food technology characteristics. Many consumer products therefore contain additives to adapt the taste and texture to customer requirements. These additives are not originally contained in the plant.

Ultrafiltration of Plant Extracts

Ceramic membranes are used to concentrate the protein in plant-based liquids. This produces a protein-rich fraction (retentate) and a quasi-protein-free fraction (permeate). Both fractions are further processed in the food industry.

17 - Soy

18 - Starter Culture

Purification and Concentration of Starter Cultures

Ceramic membranes can concentrate and recover viable cells from starter cultures by retaining microbial cells while allowing smaller molecules like nutrients, metabolites, and byproducts to pass through.

Ceramic membranes operate under mild processing conditions, including low temperatures and minimal shear stress, which are critical for maintaining the viability and activity of sensitive microbial strains in starter cultures.

Ceramic membrane systems can be scaled up to accommodate varying production volumes, making them suitable for both laboratory-scale research and large-scale industrial applications in the fermentation industry.

19 - Sugar

20 - Tomato Puree

21 - Vinegar

During MF / UF, turbidity, microorganisms, etc. are removed.

22 - Water

Water from vapor condensates, autoclaves, rinsing water, washing processes, contaminated process water, etc., which are usually hot (>80 °C).
Solutions such as salt baths, brines, etc., which are difficult due to their high salt content, are also successfully filtered with ceramic MF/UF membranes.

23 - Whey

24 - Yeast

25 - Yogurt