Ultrafiltration Systems Remove Oils and Solids – Reuse Water, Reduce Disposal Costs.

PRAB ultrafiltration systems remove emulsified oils, suspended solids, and other contaminants from industrial process water. The treated water can be reused in production or safely discharged, reducing operating costs while supporting environmental compliance.

Ultrafiltration is a membrane-based separation process used in manufacturing environments where washwater, coolants, or rinse water contain oil and fine particulate matter.

Key Benefits for Manufacturers

• Reduce oily wastewater volumes by up to 98%
• Cut haul-away and disposal costs by up to 90%
• Lower detergent and washwater expenses by up to 75%
• Extend the life of process and rinse water
• Support discharge compliance or water reuse
• Eliminate disposable filter media streams

Typical Applications

Ultrafiltration systems are commonly used for:

• Parts washer and rinse water
• Machining and grinding coolant washwater
• Stamping and forming fluids
• Die casting and finishing operations
• Vibratory and tumbling systems
• Pressure-wash discharge
• Transportation and vehicle wash water

System Features

• Modular systems from 100 to 6,000 gallons per day
• Automatic, low-maintenance operation
• Chemical-free membrane separation
• Fully assembled and tested turnkey systems
• Expandable membrane configurations

• Pre- and post-treatment options available

When to Use Ultrafiltration

Ultrafiltration is ideal when a plant needs to:

• Remove oil from washwater
• Reduce wastewater disposal volumes
• Reuse process water
• Meet local discharge limits
• Prepare water for downstream treatment

Many manufacturers use ultrafiltration as part of a closed-loop water system to reduce freshwater consumption and waste hauling costs.

Related Water and Wastewater Solutions

PRAB offers complete industrial water treatment systems designed to work together:

• PRAB Industrial Wastewater Treatment Systems
• PRAB pH Adjustment Systems
• PRAB Evaporators
• PRAB Oil/Water Separators

These systems can be combined to create a plant-wide water recycling or zero-liquid-discharge solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ultrafiltration in industrial wastewater treatment?

Ultrafiltration is a membrane-based filtration process that removes emulsified oils, suspended solids, and large organic molecules from water. It uses pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane while retaining contaminants.

What contaminants does ultrafiltration remove?

Ultrafiltration removes:

• Emulsified oils
• Suspended solids
• Fine particulate
• Organic contaminants
• Some bacteria and large molecules

Can ultrafiltration water be reused?

Yes. Treated water is often clean enough for reuse in:

• Parts washers
• Rinse stations
• Cooling systems
• General plant washdown

When is ultrafiltration better than traditional filtration?

Ultrafiltration is more effective when:

• Oil is emulsified in water
• Particles are very fine
• Disposable filter media is costly
• Water reuse is required

How much wastewater can ultrafiltration reduce?

Many systems reduce oily wastewater volumes by up to 98%, significantly lowering disposal and haul-away costs.

Does ultrafiltration require chemicals?

Most ultrafiltration systems operate without hazardous chemical additives. Some applications may require occasional cleaning solutions to maintain membrane performance.

Benefits & Features

• Reduce the cost of washwater and detergents up to 75%
• Reduce oily wastewater haul away costs up to 90%
• System effluent water can be discharged to a sewer or reused
• Robust design which effectively removes suspended solids and organic impurities from a variety of different water streams for optimum fluid waste management
• Help meet zero manifesting goals and comply with federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requirements, as well as state and local discharge regulations
• No hazardous chemicals required
• Highly efficient membrane modules
• Turnkey system – fully assembled, tested and ready to install
• Standard modular system from 100-6,000 gallons/day (larger systems available upon request)
• Prolongs life of wash water and rinse water
• Simple automatic operation requires little attention and maintenance
• “Pre-treatment” and “Post-treatment” modules available
• Permanent media removes the disposable media waste stream, adhering to ISO-14001 standards