Control of concentration polarization and fouling of membranes in medical, food and biotechnical applications

Concentration polarization and fouling pose serious problems in ultrafiltration and microfiltration of protein-containing liquids. An empirical approach is reported to reduce fouling through surface modification by rf-cathode sputtering and plasma deposition. Different effects on ultrafiltration and microfiltration membranes have been found. In a second approach, by application of pulsatile flow the transmembrane flux of ultrafiltration membranes could be improved up to 50%.