Increase productivity by replacing NF with Evolution SF.
To maximize protein content in final products, many protein concentration processes now utilize NF at the end of production. Utilizing tighter membranes in the NF range allows users to capture as much protein as possible towards the end of the process. However, conventional NF membranes utilize a piperazine-based membrane chemistry that cannot be cleaned with chlorine. By using anti-fouling zwitterionic Evolution SF membranes, users can clean with chlorine and experience thinner gel layers than those on conventional membranes, resulting in a higher average sustainable flux and a simplified cleaning program that saves an hour or more of time each day.
Application Details
As protein demand continues to increase globally, dairy products with higher protein content are becoming increasingly important for the food supply chain. Whey protein concentrate (WPC) and milk protein concentrate (MPC) with high protein percentages, such as WPC80 and MPC80 continue to become more valuable. Products such as whey protein isolate (WPI) and milk protein isolate (MPI), which contain around 90% protein, are becoming even more valuable.
Manufacturing for WPC80, MPC80, WPI, and MPI all involve membrane processes with multiple stages of membranes per system and often multiple systems of membranes per process. To obtain higher protein levels, WPC80 and MPC80 systems often utilize NF membranes towards the latter stages. Manufacturing WPI and MPI is similar, except those processes often have entire NF systems after preceding ultrafiltration (UF) systems to push protein content even higher.
As with other protein concentration systems, the NF retentate ultimately becomes the final product after drying. Permeate from the NF system may be combined with other streams and sent to a polishing system. Click here to read more about permeate polishing using reverse osmosis (RO) membranes.
Membranes Used in Final Concentration with NF
Conventional piperazine polyamide-based NF membranes used in final concentration feature a thin-film composite structure similar to standard RO membranes and cannot be cleaned with chlorine. As with many conventional membranes, piperazine NF membranes have not had a significant improvement in membrane chemistry since they first started being used in this process years ago.
With the novel zwitterionic anti-fouling chemistry used in Evolution SF membranes, dairy processors can experience notable improvements to operating flux and cleanability, maximizing overall productivity. In addition, Evolution SF can be cleaned with chlorine, giving users more flexibility in cleaning their NF systems.
Boost productivity
Evolution SF membranes feature an anti-fouling membrane chemistry that minimizes gel layer formation, leading to increased productivity for end users.
Save 50% on cleaning costs
The simplified cleaning program enabled by Evolution SF membranes eliminates cleaning steps, saving money on chemicals, water use, and utilities while driving sustainability outcomes.
More time for producing
Evolution SF can reduce cleaning time by one hour or more per day—freeing operators to focus on critical tasks and increasing system uptime.
No system changes required
Evolution SF membranes are direct replacements for conventional products so that no system modifications are necessary.
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Reduce your cleaning costs by 50%.
With Evolution membranes, your cleaning programs are easier and shorter, enabling more uptime for operators to focus on other important tasks. With easier cleanings and less chemicals, plants enjoy significantly reduced time and labor required for maintenance.
Minimize gel layer formation, maximize productivity.
Evolution membranes feature the highest resistance to organic fouling, which reduces gel layer formation at the membrane surface and leads to higher sustainable average flux. This leads to more output, more uptime, more time for maintenance, and protection against equipment failure for dairy processors.
Simplified & sustainable operations.
Evolution membranes simplify cleaning programs and require fewer chemicals, while also reducing freshwater demand, energy consumption, and amount of wastewater generated.
- Reduced pumping
- Less water
- Less heating of CIP solutions
- Decreased chemical usage
- Reduced energy requirements
Improve your OPEX.
In whey protein concentration applications, Evolution membranes significantly reduce freshwater demand through their simplified cleaning process.
Reduced Operating Costs
With lower cleaning costs, decreased water usage, less wastewater generated, and lower energy requirements, Evolution membranes offer a significant decrease in OPEX.
Increase in Uptime
Evolution membranes offer more uptime due to shorter cleaning programs, freeing operators to work on other priorities.
Mott Case Study
Speak with our engineers to discover ways that ZwitterCo can support positive changes at your plant. With our help, you can reduce your hauling and avoid heavy OPEX spend on plant expansion.
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Industrial Wastewater Reuse
ZwitterCo has only polymeric membranes that can filter high strength organic streams without rapid and irreversible fouling. More description here to describe the kind of solutions we offer for NMP.
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Challenging Surface Water Treatment
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High Value Protein & Co-Product Separation
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Remove Bulk Organics
Remove tough to fight organics, such as fats, oils, grease, and protein.
Fully Chlorine-Intolerant
Can endure aggressive cleaning without wear and tear
Runs at Low Pressure
Runs at low pressure by not removing salt, sugar, alcohol’s or other small molecules.
Replaces Biological Systems
Replace biological systems or coagulation/flocculation processes commonly used to treat organics.