Specialty Enzymatic Processes and Applications

Enzymes to Improve Membrane Cleaning and Performance

Membrane-based filtration systems are used extensively in raw material, food, and dairy processing, chemical and pharmaceutical production, and water treatment. Ultrafiltration, microfiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis, and other membrane-based technologies are used to purify and concentrate desirable end products while removing undesirable impurities or by-products. 

During use, membranes typically become fouled resulting in diminished performance and reduced flux rates. If membranes are not thoroughly cleaned, the cumulative effect of repeated fouling will ultimately reduce performance and flux rates to the point where it becomes necessary to replace the membrane.

Typically an enzymatic cleaning process should be employed on a preventative basis or when standard membrane cleaning procedures fail to produce the desired results (i.e., restoration of the membrane’s flux rate.) 

To a large extent, the choice of enzyme product(s) to use for membrane cleaning will depend on the nature of the fouling substances. For example, if a membrane were fouled with proteinaceous material, a protease enzyme would be recommended. Sometimes it may be necessary to perform an autopsy on a used membrane to determine the exact nature of the fouling materials. 

Enzymes from Enzymetech can be used effectively to clean membranes in combination with normal cleaning producers. When used periodically, the supplemental enzymatic cleaning process can restore membrane flux rates and ultimately extend the service life of the membrane.

The recommendations described in the preceding sections are general in nature. Please consult our Technical Service representative for specific recommendations designed to meet your unique process conditions.

The following chart provides some general enzyme product recommendations based on the nature of the membrane-fouling substances: