Microfiltration is a membrane technical filtration
process which removes contaminants from a fluid (liquid or gas) by passing
through a microporous membrane. Membrane filters are surface filters
with a precise micro-porous structure. They are used to separate, remove
particles or collect micro-organisms for analysis from a fluid. Particles
bigger than the nominal porosity remain on the filter surface, whilst
smaller particles goes though the filter unless other interactions into
the filter retain them into the filter matrix. The microfiltration is
slower than the filtration with the filter papers (depth filters). Membranes
are made of different polymers and are available in several diameters
and pore sizes. Membrane filters are used in microbiological quality
control procedures for a wide range of industries; food, beverage, pharmaceutical,
cosmetics, etc.
