Crossflow membrane filtration enables industrial liquid valorization and water recovery from permeate streams generated during plasma concentration processes.

In many industrial processes, liquid streams containing significant amounts of water are traditionally considered process by-products.

However, increasing pressure on water resources and the need to improve operational efficiency in industrial plants have driven the development of technologies capable of valorizing liquid streams and recovering reusable water within the production process.

In this context, crossflow membrane filtration has become an effective solution for industrial water recovery and resource optimization in complex process streams.

Crossflow membrane filtration systems enable the separation and conditioning of permeate streams, allowing the recovered water to be reused in other industrial operations.

Industrial context of the project

Perinox developed an industrial liquid valorization project for a production facility located in Brazil belonging to a multinational company internationally recognized in the production of functional ingredients derived from animal blood plasma.

In these industrial installations, the plasma concentration process using membrane technologies generates permeate streams containing significant amounts of water.

Although the permeate obtained during membrane concentration presents relatively high purity, its direct reuse in other industrial processes may require an additional treatment stage to ensure appropriate quality parameters.

Project objective

The main objective of the project was to design and implement a technological solution capable of:

• Recovering water contained in the permeate generated during plasma concentration.
• Enabling the reuse of this water in other industrial processes within the facility.
• Reducing the overall water consumption of the plant.
• Improving the water efficiency of the production system.

Such solutions are increasingly important in industrial sectors where water consumption and resource efficiency are critical operational factors.

Project technical snapshot

• Project type: Industrial liquid valorization system.
• Industrial application: Water recovery from permeate generated during animal plasma concentration.
• Location: Industrial production plant in Brazil.
• Core technology: Permeate polishing system (Polisher) based on crossflow membrane filtration.
• Operational objective: Reuse of recovered water within other industrial processes in the plant.

Technological solution: permeate polishing system

To achieve the project objectives, Perinox designed and implemented a permeate polishing system (Polisher) based on crossflow membrane filtration technologies.

The system acts as a final treatment stage for the permeate generated during plasma concentration. Through crossflow membrane filtration, residual compounds present in the permeate can be removed while maintaining stable process operation.

The polishing stage improves the physicochemical quality of the recovered water, allowing it to be reused in other industrial operations within the plant.

Process engineering considerations

The design of the system was based on several process engineering principles:

• Hydraulic optimization for stable crossflow membrane filtration operation.
• Integration with existing membrane concentration systems.
• Design for continuous industrial operation.
• Cleaning-in-place (CIP) protocols adapted to the characteristics of the processed fluid.

This approach ensures stable long-term operation and helps minimize membrane fouling phenomena typically associated with complex industrial fluids.

Operational results

The implementation of the system enabled:

• Recovery of water contained in permeate streams generated during plasma concentration.
• Reuse of recovered water in other industrial operations within the plant.
• Reduction of total industrial water consumption.
• Improvement of overall process efficiency.

These types of technological solutions contribute to improving the sustainability of industrial production systems by enabling more efficient water management.

Crossflow membrane filtration for industrial liquid valorization

Crossflow membrane filtration technologies allow industrial facilities to transform liquid streams traditionally considered by-products into reusable resources within the production system.

In sectors such as food processing, biotechnology, and functional ingredient production, crossflow membrane filtration systems provide opportunities to:

• Optimize water usage in industrial processes.
• Reduce wastewater generation.
• Improve overall plant efficiency.

Industrial liquid valorization through crossflow membrane filtration is therefore becoming a key strategy for improving operational efficiency and industrial sustainability.

Discover our crossflow membrane filtration technologies

To learn more about our technological solutions for complex industrial fluids, discover our crossflow membrane filtration technologies and their industrial applications.