Abstract: Particle filtration of a feed of highly corrosive ultra pure water and contaminants is disclosed through a metal oxide membrane on ceramic support in combination with on-line ozonation. In one aspect, the filtering of ultra pure water includes passing the feed cross-flow through a multichannel sintered monolithic metal oxide membrane on ceramic support to form a permeate of particle-free ultra pure water. Although high recoveries per pass rates were used, no detectable metal ions including aluminum, zirconium, or yttrium ions were found in the ultra pure water permeate. The apparatus and process of the present invention for filtering ultra pure water include cross-flow filtration using multichannel monolithic ceramic membranes at suitable pore sizes in a total chemical process system including elevated temperatures and on-line ozonation sterilization of the ceramic membrane particle filter in high purity water applications for electronics manufacturing.

Abstract: Ceramic filtration of a feed solution of ultra pure water and particle contaminants is disclosed through a metal oxide membrane on ceramic support. In one aspect, the filtering of ultra pure water from a feed solution containing ultra pure water and contaminant particles includes passing the feed solution cross-flow through a multi-channel sintered monolithic metal oxide membrane on ceramic support to form a permeate of particle-free ultra pure water. The sintered metal oxide membrane has a nominal pore size in the range of about 50 to 200 Angstroms. Although high recoveries per pass rates were used, no detectable aluminum ions were found in the ultra pure water.

Abstract: The method of the present invention for separating bacteria includes passing a bacteria-containing liquid through a plural-coated-sintered inorganic membrane on a larger pore size inorganic ceramic support. By plural-coated-sintered is meant at least two sintered coatings of substantially similar pore size. The membrane on a ceramic support preferably includes a porous double-coated sintered ceramic oxide membrane on an alpha-alumina support.