Description
Automatic UF Membrane Integrity Tester – Portable On-Site Diagnostic Tool for Membrane Systems
In recent years, surface water purification with ultrafiltration membrane has become an attractive alternative to conventional clarification. No or less need of chemical agents, good quality of produced water independent of feed water quality, good removal efficiency towards microorganisms, less production of sludge, compact process, and easy automation are some of the advantages of ultrafiltration compared to conventional treatment. Originally, ultrafiltration was used to remove turbidity and microorganism from good-quality surface water. Nowadays the main goal is to improve this technology and to apply it to worse quality sources for the removal of microorganisms, natural organic matter (NOM), Total Organic Carbon (TOC) including particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), disinfection by-products (DBPs) and other components.
Product Overview
A broken fiber in a UF membrane module can happen anytime. Maybe it's from a pressure spike. Maybe it's from wear and tear. Maybe it's from a manufacturing defect. The result is the same: compromised water quality. Bacteria passes through. Turbidity rises. SDI increases. And you may not know it's happening until it's already affecting your product water.
The DAGYEE UF Membrane Integrity Tester provides the answer. This portable, automatic testing device allows plant operators and service technicians to quickly check membrane integrity—without complicated procedures or expensive lab equipment.
Connect the unit to a membrane module. Press start. The tester performs a pressure decay test (or bubble point test) and displays a clear pass/fail result. If there's a problem, it tells you which module needs attention. This is the diagnostic tool that every UF plant should have—for routine checks, troubleshooting, and ensuring water quality.
Why a Containerized System?
There are plenty of reasons to put a water treatment plant inside a shipping container. Here are the ones that matter most:
Speed of Deployment
A conventional water treatment plant takes months to design, build, and commission. A containerized system takes days to ship and hours to commission. When water is urgently needed, that difference is everything.
Complete Mobility
The system is built to move. A flatbed truck delivers it. A crane sets it down. When the project ends, the same truck takes it to the next site. The equipment doesn't get left behind—it follows the work.
Minimal Civil Works
No foundations. No buildings. No permanent utilities. Just a reasonably level piece of ground, a water source, and a power connection. That's all it takes.
Plug-and-Play Simplicity
Everything is pre-installed and pre-wired inside the container. The operator doesn't need to be a water treatment specialist. The system is designed to be operated by someone with basic training. Connect the hoses, turn it on, and let it run.
Weather Protection
The container provides built-in shelter for all equipment. Rain, dust, wind, and extreme temperatures don't affect performance. The system operates reliably in conditions that would shut down an open-air plant.
Security
The container is lockable, providing physical security for equipment in remote or unstable locations. Vandalism and theft are real concerns in some settings—a shipping container offers practical protection.
Working Principle
The system uses two standard methods for integrity testing:
Option A: Pressure Decay Test (PDT)
This is the most common and quickest test method.
Step 1: Isolate the Module
The membrane module is isolated from the rest of the system. Feed and permeate valves are closed.
Step 2: Apply Pressure
The tester applies compressed air at controlled pressure to the feed side of the membrane. The permeate side is open to atmosphere.
Step 3: Measure Pressure Decay
The pressure is held for a set period (typically 5-20 minutes). The tester measures the rate of pressure decay. Intact membranes will hold pressure. Damaged membranes will show a pressure drop.
Step 4: Pass/Fail Result
If the pressure decay exceeds a preset threshold, the test fails. The tester automatically calculates the result.
Option B: Bubble Point Test
This method is more sensitive but requires a clean membrane.
Step 1: Wet the Membrane
The membrane is wet with clean water to fill all pores.
Step 2: Apply Air Pressure
Air pressure is slowly applied to the feed side while the permeate side is submerged in water.
Step 3: Observe Bubble Formation
When the pressure exceeds the bubble point pressure, air penetrates the largest pores and bubbles appear in the permeate. The bubble point pressure indicates the largest pore size present.
Step 4: Determine Integrity
If the bubble point pressure is below specification, the membrane has broken fibers or compromised pores.
System Components
| Component | Function Description |
|---|---|
| UF Membrane Modules | PVDF hollow fiber membranes with 0.01 micron precision. Available in inside-out or outside-in configurations. High chemical resistance and chlorine tolerance (> 2,000 ppm). |
| PLC Control Panel | Siemens/Omron PLC with 7-inch HMI touch screen. Enables fully automatic filtration, backwashing, CEB, CIP, TMP monitoring, alarm logging, and optional SCADA remote access. |
| Feed & Backwash Pumps | Stainless steel centrifugal pumps providing 0.1~0.3 MPa operating pressure. Backwash pump delivers reverse flow at 1.5~2.0x filtration flux. |
| Chemical Dosing System | Dosing pumps and tanks for NaClO, citric acid, NaOH, and EDTA. Enables automated CEB (Chemical Enhanced Backwash) and CIP (Clean-in-Place) procedures. |
| Air Scouring System | Oil-free air compressor and distribution manifold. Generates air bubbles during backwashing to create turbulence and mechanical scouring for superior foulant removal. |
| Pre-filtration Unit | Automatic disc filters or cartridge filters with 100~200 micron rating, protecting UF membranes from large particle damage and extending membrane service life. |
| Instrumentation | Includes pressure transmitters, flow meters, temperature sensors, and turbidity meters. Real-time data acquisition for process optimization and system protection. |
| Tank & Piping System | Feed tank, permeate tank, backwash tank, and chemical tanks. Piping in UPVC or Stainless Steel 304/316L with sanitary fittings, ensuring corrosion resistance and hygienic operation. |
What This System Removes
The Compact UF System is a physical barrier. It removes anything larger than its pore size. Here's what that means in practical terms:
| Contaminant | Removal Efficiency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Suspended solids | > 99.9% | Sand, silt, clay, and other particulate matter |
| Colloids | > 99.9% | Clay particles, silica, iron oxides |
| Bacteria | > 99.99% | Including E. coli, coliforms, and pathogenic bacteria |
| Viruses | > 99.99% | Including enteric viruses and rotaviruses |
| Protozoa | > 99.99% | Giardia, Cryptosporidium |
| Turbidity | To < 0.1 NTU | Consistently low, regardless of feed turbidity |
| Algae | > 99.9% | Removes algae cells and algal debris |
Ultrafiltration offers numerous advantages in water treatment, making it an increasingly popular choice for municipal and industrial applications. Hollow fiber UF membranes provide a physical barrier to suspended solids and pathogens to consistently produce a high-quality, low-turbidity, and low-SDI effluent.
Here are the key benefits of implementing an ultrafiltration system:
Pressurized or immersed membranes to suit the site requirements.
Greater output in the same footprint and helps reduce capital and lifecycle costs for the application.
Physical UF barrier provides consistent high-quality effluent exceeding stringent regulatory requirements through virtually any change in raw-water quality.
Low lifecycle cost optimized through extended membrane life and low energy and chemical use.
These benefits make ultrafiltration an attractive option for various water treatment applications, from municipal water supplies to industrial process water.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Number | MOD-UF-2026-02A |
| Filtration Precision | 0.01 ~ 0.02 micron |
| Membrane Material | PVDF |
| Membrane Configuration | Hollow Fiber (HFF) |
| Fiber Inner / Outer Diameter | 0.6~1.0 / 1.0~1.6 mm |
| Operation Mode | Inside-out / Outside-in |
| Operating Pressure | 1.4 ~ 3.5 bar (20 ~ 50 psi) |
| Max Operating Pressure | 6.0 bar (87 psi) |
| Operating Temperature | 2 ~ 38 C (35 ~ 100 F) |
| Max Temperature | 45 C (113 F) |
| Operating pH Range | 2 ~ 13 |
| pH Range (Cleaning) | 1 ~ 14 CIP |
| Recovery Rate | 85% ~ 95% |
| Permeate Turbidity | < 0.1 NTU |
| Permeate SDI | < 1 RO Feed |
| Bacteria / Virus Removal | > 99.99% |
| Chlorine Tolerance | > 2,000 ppm Continuous |
| Power Supply | 220V/380V +-10%, 50/60Hz, 3 Phase |
| Control System | Siemens/Omron PLC + 7" HMI |
| Protection Class | IP54 / IP65 (Optional) |
| Membrane Life Expectancy | 3 ~ 5 years |
Key Features: PVDF hollow fiber, pH 2-13 operation, 1-14 CIP, chlorine tolerant >2000ppm. Fully automatic PLC+HMI. Ideal for RO pretreatment, drinking water, industrial water, wastewater reuse.
What Does Ultrafiltration Remove?
Ultrafiltration is highly effective at removing a wide range of contaminants from water. Here's a breakdown of what an ultrafiltration water filter can typically remove:
1. Particulate matter:
Suspended solids
Colloids
Turbidity
2. Microorganisms:
Bacteria (99.99% removal)
Protozoa (including Giardia and Cryptosporidium)
Many viruses
3. Organic compounds:
High molecular weight organics
Some humic substances
4. Inorganic compounds:
Some heavy metals, when bound to organic matter or particles
5. Other contaminants:
Algae
Some parasites
It's important to note that while ultrafiltration is highly effective at removing many contaminants, it does not remove contaminants like dissolved salts, organic molecules, or ions smaller than the pore size. Additional treatment methods like reverse osmosis or ion exchange may be necessary for these.
Industry Application
| Application | Why It's Used | Typical Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Disaster Relief | Immediate clean water after earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tsunamis. Deployed within hours of arrival. | 5-20 m³/h |
| Military Operations | Water supply for forward operating bases, peacekeeping missions, and field exercises. Mobile, robust, low-maintenance. | 5-30 m³/h |
| Refugee Camps | Safe drinking water for displaced populations in humanitarian emergency settings. | 10-50 m³/h |
| Mining Exploration | Remote mine sites where water sources are unreliable. Moves with the exploration team. | 5-20 m³/h |
| Construction Sites | Temporary water supply for large construction projects in areas without municipal water. | 10-30 m³/h |
| Village Water Supply | Permanent or semi-permanent water treatment for communities without existing infrastructure. | 5-20 m³/h |
| Municipal Backup | Emergency backup for existing water treatment plants during maintenance or failure. | 20-50 m³/h |
| Event Water Supply | Temporary water supply for large outdoor events, festivals, and sporting competitions. | 5-20 m³/h |
Operation & Maintenance
Routine maintenance is straightforward and primarily automated:
-
Daily Inspection – Check TMP, flow rates, and pump condition
-
Backwashing – Automatic, every 15~60 minutes, duration 60~120 seconds
-
Chemical Enhanced Backwash (CEB) – Weekly, using NaClO (50~200 ppm) and/or citric acid
-
CIP Cleaning – Every 1~6 months, circulating NaClO and acid solutions
-
Membrane Integrity Test – Quarterly, using pressure decay or bubble point test
-
Membrane Replacement – Typically every 3~5 years, depending on feed water quality and operating conditions
Why Choose DAGYEE High-Recovery UF?
| Feature | Customer Value |
|---|---|
| Energy Efficiency | 40-60% lower energy consumption than conventional UF systems |
| Water Conservation | 95-98% recovery reduces freshwater intake and wastewater discharge |
| Low Operating Pressure | 0.5-1.5 bar operation extends membrane life and reduces wear |
| Smart Automation | TMP-based backwash optimization saves water, chemicals, and energy |
| Sustainability | Reduced carbon footprint and water footprint for corporate ESG goals |
| Fast Payback | 1-2 year payback on the additional investment over conventional UF |
| Global Support | Technical support, commissioning, and spare parts worldwide |
Contact Us
The DAGYEE UF Membrane Integrity Tester provides the confidence you need in your membrane system. Quick, reliable, and portable, it's the essential diagnostic tool for every UF plant operator.
Contact our team for a demonstration at your facility.
DAGYEE Water Technology
Membrane solutions for a changing world.
