Wesselmann Energy & Filtration Glossary

Ultrafiltration ist ein Prozess, bei dem eine semipermeable Membran verwendet wird, um kleinste Partikel (< 0,01 µm) aus einer Flüssigkeit zu filtern.

The principle is based on the pressure difference that acts across the membrane and allows the separation of molecules by size. In the kidney, ultrafiltration plays a crucial role by filtering waste products and excess water from the blood. This process is also important in industry and water treatment, where it is used to purify wastewater or to produce drinking water.

Due to the pore size of the membranes, ultrafiltration can efficiently filter out bacteria, viruses and proteins, making it an important technology in many areas.

See also: WEF ultrafiltration

Nanofiltration ist eine fortschrittliche Filtrationstechnik. Diese Technologie nutzt Membranen mit Porengrößen im Nanometerbereich, um kleinste Partikel und gelöste Stoffe (< 0,001 µm) aus Flüssigkeiten zu entfernen.

The membranes are designed to allow certain molecules or ions to pass through while retaining others. This makes nanofiltration particularly useful for water softening, as it can remove polyvalent ions that are responsible for water hardness. Nanofiltration is also used for the concentration and desalination of food, in the pharmaceutical industry and for waste water treatment.

A major advantage of nanofiltration is its energy efficiency compared to other filtration methods due to the lower pressures required.

See also: WEF nanofiltration

With this technique, the liquid to be filtered is guided parallel to the filter surface. The liquid is constantly in motion, which prevents the separated particles from being deposited on the filter and clogging it.

This increases efficiency and therefore extends the service life of the filter. Cross-flow filtration is often used in the food industry, for example in wine production or milk processing, but also in pharmaceutical production and water treatment.

Cross-flow filtration can also be quite flexible as it can be adapted for different particle sizes. The continuous flow and high shear force keep the membranes clean, resulting in a constant filtration performance.

See also: WEF cross-flow filtration

Heat exchangers enable heat transfer between two or more liquids or gases of different temperatures without them mixing directly. In this way, the energy that would otherwise be lost is recovered and can be used.

In a heat exchanger, the media usually flow in opposite directions to each other, which maximizes heat exchange. There are various types, such as plate, tube bundle and finned heat exchangers, which are selected depending on the requirements and application.

Their efficiency makes them an important component in the industry for saving energy costs and protecting the environment.

See also: WEF heat exchanger

Plate heat exchangers are a special type of heat exchanger consisting of many thin, slightly curved plates. These plates are arranged in such a way that they form narrow channels through which the two liquids or gases can flow. One liquid absorbs heat and the other releases it.

Plate heat exchangers have a large surface area in relation to their volume. This means they can transfer heat more efficiently than other types. They are fairly compact and easy to clean.

They are also very flexible. If you need more power, simply add more plates.

See also: WEF plate heat exchanger

A warm air convector is a heating appliance that heats the room air by drawing in cold air, passing it through a heating element and then releasing the heated air back into the room. This process is driven by convection, i.e. the natural circulation of warm and cold air.

Warm air convectors are often compact and can be placed in various locations in the room. They heat up quickly and can ensure an even temperature distribution in the room.

They are particularly suitable for rooms that need to be heated quickly and for a short time. They are also often cheaper to purchase than other heating systems.

See also: WEF warm air convector