Filtration

Filtration is a process that separates solids from fluids (liquids or gases) by adding a medium through which only the fluid can pass. The fluid that passes through is called the filtrate. In physical terms, filtration is essentially a mechanical or physical operation which is used for the separation of solids from fluids by interposing a medium through which only the fluid can pass. Oversize solids in the fluid are retained, but the separation is not complete; solids will be contaminated with some fluid and filtrate will contain fine particles (depending on the pore size, filter thickness and biological activity). Filtration occurs both in nature and in engineered systems; there are biological, geological, and industrial forms.

Types of Filtration

Filtration is used to remove particles from air, water, oil, and other liquids. There are many different types of filtration, including:

• Gravity filtration
• Vacuum filtration
• Cold filtration
• Hot filtration
• Multilayer filtration

Applications

Filtration is used in various industries, such as:

• Chemical industry
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Food and beverage industry
• Water treatment plants

See Also

• Sedimentation
• Centrifugation
• Decantation

References

Filtration Resources
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