2. Crossflow microfiltration in oenology

2.1 Membrane materials

There is a very wide range of membrane materials available for crossflow filtration of wines.

Organic membranes are the most highly developed. Their significantly lower cost than mineral membranes gives them a decisive advantage. What's more, polymers have evolved rapidly and materials are better adapted to the products to be filtered.

Mineral membranes are made up of porous ceramic layers. The materials making up the filter layer and the support can be of the same or different types. The materials proposed for filter layers are metal oxides (alumina, titanium oxide, zirconia) or agglomerated carbon.

Membranes are inserted into devices called modules: in the wine sector, capillary modules...