CERAMIC CROSS-FLOW MICROFILTRATION IN THE PRESENCE OF INSERTS
The influence of inserts with various configurations on permeate flux through a tubular ceramic microfiltration membrane was studied. The commercial metal-working oil emulsion was used in the experiments. A more extensive study of the effect of shear rate on permeate flux was made by comparing the steady-state flux of the empty tube system and the system with inserts. The cross-flow microfiltration with inserts was found to be simple and effective. Analysing experimental results, it was concluded that the introduction of inserts, irrespective of their configurations, resulted in a significant increase in permeate flux compared with results obtained in the empty tube system. The interruption of formation of a boundary layer by the inserts is attributed to mixing and migration of rejected particles from the membrane surface.