Microfiltration

Two-pass SCEPTER module

MICROFILTRATION with SINTERED STAINLESS STEEL SCEPTERŪ CROSS-FLOW MEMBRANES from GRAVER TECHNOLOGIES, Inc.

Eurodia / Ameridia is an OEM of Graver Technologies, Inc. (Glasgow, DE), SCEPTERŪ Membrane Product to supply systems using their sintered stainless steel cross-flow membranes. These membranes are designed to stand-up to the most demanding process filtration challenges with separations of 0.1 micron (lower cut-offs in development). In 2000, we have supplied the first commercial system in the European sugar industry.

The Scepter membranes combine a rugged tube made of sintered stainless steel powder with a patented coating technology, in which a sintered titanium dioxide layer is permanently bonded to the porous stainless steel tube. This inert, highly durable filter medium provides superior separations performance and years of operation under difficult conditions. Currently, the nominal pore size is 0.1 microns and membranes with smaller cut-off points are being developed. This microfiltration can be used to concentrate fine colloidal suspensions or to remove suspended solids from fluids; examples of such solids are silica, kaolin, yeasts, bacteria, dextrose "mud", pigments, and granular starch.The very rugged all stainless steel welded construction allows recovery from process upsets and allows processing of a wide-variety of dirty and hostile streams:

• Viscous process streams (up to 100's of centipoise)

• Complex mixtures with up to 50 % suspended solids (by volume)

• Chemically compatible with pH's from 0 to 14

• Pressures up to 70 bar (1000 psi)

• Temperatures in excess of 200°C 

The all-stainless materials also tolerate practically unlimited steam sanitization procedures and aggressive cleaning chemicals such as strong caustic (>pH 13) for organic foulants (recommended cleaning with 2% NaOH at 90°C) and strong acids (<pH 2 ) for inorganic foulants (i.e. nitric, citric or phosphoric acid at high temperature).

The superior mechanical durability is achieved with gasket-free and all-welded construction. Unlike competitive ceramic and carbon substrates, SCEPTER tubes are not affected by mechanical or thermal shock or by seal problems. They are virtually unbreakable and, depending on the application, they can be guaranteed for useful service life of ten years or more (with regular maintenance).

Module design allows for single pass or multi-pass modules from 0.01 to 855 m2: with one module per stage, these are very compact systems. Vertical installation requires small footprint and draining of viscous fluids. Construction can be in accordance with Sanitary, Industrial, and ASME codes.

Eurodia / Ameridia can custom-design complete systems around the modules supplied by Graver Technologies to be delivered, installed, and started-up at the customer site. After defining an application, we can do bench-scale evaluation in our laboratory or on-site to confirm technical and economic feasibility. Additional process data and on-site pilot studies are generally required to establish a design basis for the system for a new application. Bench-scale and pilot units are available for lease or sale.

Clarifier Modules

Applications of SCEPTERŪ Microfiltration:

The SCEPTER microfiltration technology has been used successfully for many years in many industries in North America and the Far East. Applications are varied and incude:

• Food, Sugar & Starch for wet corn milling, corn syrup clarification, modified starch filtration, fructose polishing, cane & beet sugar clarification, scums filtration, caustic recovery, etc.

• Pharmaceutical/ Biotech for fermentation broth concentration & clarification, protein separation & recovery, etc. 

• Chemical for solvent recovery, catalyst recovery, chemical clarification, etc.

• Textile for synthetic warp size recovery, dye recovery, caustic recovery, etc.

• Nuclear Power for enriched uranium recovery, low-level rad-waste concentration, etc.

• Waste Treatment for hazardous waste concentration, sludge dewatering, hot wash/ waste water recycle, waste oil recovery, etc.

• Metal Finishing for oil removal, alkaline degreaser recovery, caustic recovery, etc.

In 2000, we have supplied a first commercial plant in Europe for the clarification of sugar juices with approx. 400 m2 of installed membrane area.

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