Buoyancy-enhanced Membrane Filtration for Oilfield and Industrial Water Reuse

Although most developments in tubular membrane design have focused on membrane material, Swirltex recognized an opportunity to focus on membrane hydraulics and the aspects that contribute to a membrane's performance. The objective was to keep impurities away from the membrane while boosting its surface velocity. Injecting gas to increase velocity and altering the buoyancy of pollutants produces a high-velocity annular flow when combined with centrifugal flow. Buoyancy-based membrane filtration combines multiple strategies to improve the filtration process's performance significantly. Swirltex technology enables higher performance without increasing energy consumption. This patented flow pattern keeps impurities away from the membrane's surface, decreasing fouling and resulting in significant cost savings. Tubular membranes' enhanced efficiency enables them to be used in previously ineffective generated water applications.