Ultrafiltration membrane with low tendency to fouling - has a non-porous, hydrophilic separation layer consisting of a polyamide-polyether block copolymer.

摘要

The use of a membrane for ultrafiltration (UF) is claimed. This membrane has a non-porous hydrophilic separation layer (A) made of a polymer (I) with at least one polyether segment. In the swollen state, the membrane contains at least 10 wt. % water, and the polyether segment contains 2-4C divalent ether units. Polymer (I) is a polyamide-polyether block copolymer with units of formula HO--(--CO--PA--CO--PE--O)m--H (with PA = polyamide segment; PE = polyether segment; m = positive integer), or an epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer of formula. USE/ADVANTAGE - W.r.t. prior-art microporous UF membranes, this membrane is not susceptible to reduced flow due to blocked pores, and therefore has a very low tendency to fouling; absorption of hydrophobic materials (fats, oils, proteins) is also very low. Applications include water treatment, recovery of electrophoretic paint form effluent, purification of oil/water emulsions, milk processing etc.