Membrane Separations in Food Processing

Abstract

The continuous search for innovative food processing methods has led to numerous breakthroughs in membrane technology. This chapter covers the most basic concepts of membrane technology such as membrane materials, module configurations, and operation up to the most complex concepts involved in four pressure-driven membrane processes namely MF, UF, NF and RO. One formidable obstacle toward wide acceptance of membrane technology is the problem on concentration polarization and membrane fouling. This chapter describes both and discusses their different mechanisms and the conditions which cause each mechanism. An extensive discussion on the state-of-the-art techniques to enhance membrane process performance is also presented. This includes optimization of operational conditions, pre-treatment of feeds, modification of membrane modules, flow manipulation and application of external body forces such as ultrasound and electric field. Different techniques and approaches in membrane cleaning are also discussed. The chapter also details the technology's potential applications in the food industry such as in the processing of milk, beer, wine, juice, sugar, soy products, and other food products. It presents a comparison of the technological and economic advantages and disadvantages of membrane processes to that of traditional food processing methods. Some of its better known advantages are the production of food which has better technological and nutritional functionalities, efficient use of material and resources, and reduced negative impacts to the environment. With the numerous developments and studies done and still being done on the system, one can only look forward for more widespread adaptation of membrane processes in the industry.

Potential of Membrane Distillation in Removal Lead From Dairy Wastewater

“…On the other hand, wastewater may contain a group of alkaline and acidic components and cleaning products as a result of washing and maintenance operations in the factory equipment and accessories. Therefore, coagulation-flocculation treatment will be applied to the samples before MD to prevent fouling and clogging of the membrane due to organic and inorganic materials [34][35][36][37][38][39] This wastewater as well high concentration of organic materials which has stein of chemical and natural spots make high biological and chemical reads as well as detergents and cleaners [6]. The primary research over the recent years on the use of MD technology was mainly focused on the removal of salt and treating the seawater as well as the underground water.…”

Environmental and process assessment of a vibratory nanofiltration system for the recovery of water from soluble coffee manufacturing waste

“…However, due to the complex nature of their wastewaters attributed to the presence of suspended solids and macromolecules, dissolved salts or ions, and other colloidal particles, a major drawback in this technology is fouling, that is, a phenomenon whereby matter deposits onto or within the membrane surface causing permeate flux degradation. In principle, generating high local shear zones by increasing liquid velocities may reduce fouling, but only to a limited extent 23 . Even at high cross‐flow feed velocities, flux decline was seen to be prominent in several studies for industrial food and beverage wastewaters, including that from the soluble coffee process, where reduction to about a third of the initial value was reported in a short period of time 24,25 .…”

Potential Applications of Green Technologies in Olive Oil Industry

“…It works with relatively high efficiency and low energy consumption (Mulder, 1996). It also has the advantage of operating at ambient temperature, resulting in preservation of heat-sensitive components and nutritional value of food products (Dewettinck & Le, 2011).…”