KeraNor technology
Our technology covers the following areas:
A) Filter Technology
Our filter technology focuses on alumina-based, flat, porous filters for the use in cross-flow and dead-end filtration, with customised shape, size and properties. The filters are built up with a porous substrate, with pore sizes from 1 µm to 50 µm. On top of this substrate is the porous membrane applied, yielding an asymmetric (layered) and self-supported filter, see Figure 1. Filters in the microfilter- (MF-), ultrafilter- (UF-) and nanofilter- (NF-) range, with pore sizes ranging from 4 nm to 50 µm, are available.
• Dead-end Filters, nominal and absolute: Asymmetric disks, with pore size 4 nm to 10 µm, in alumina, titania and zirconia; disk thickness from 1 mm and thicker, see Figure 1. The filters are available in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic versions.
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Figure 1. Cross-section of an asymmetric, ceramic filter
• Cross-flow Filters: Disks with membranes on both sides, with pore size 4 nm to 1 µm, in alumina, titania and zirconia; disk thickness from 3
mm and thicker, see Figure 2. The filters are available in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic versions.
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Figure 2. Cross-section of cross-flow disk (pocket) filter stack.
• The Production Process is based on an in-house developed tape production technology, which is a high yield production method. Water is used as solvent in all our recipes. The production method is therefore friendly to the working environment.
Properties of the KeraNor porous ceramics are:
i) Mechanical Properties [ASTM F 394]
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Substrate pore size[µm] |
Fracture strength [MPa] |
Weibull-index |
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4 |
130 |
18 |
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15 |
50 |
9 |
ii) Pore Size Distribution
Below is shown the pore size distribution of three different, ceramic membranes in the microfiltration (MF) area.
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iii) Flux Properties
Below follows a graph describing the flux properties of KeraNor ceramic filters and membranes:
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B) Surface Technology
Our surface technology is used:
i) for changing wetting properties of the ceramic surface (hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties),
ii) for giving the ceramic surface special properties (functionalized surfaces).
• Functionalized Filters: Functionalized filters are filters that are given particular functional properties by various surface technologies. These filters can e.g. catch specific (selective) ions and transport these ions away by an applied electric field. These filters can be used for filtration, separation and regeneration of process streams, see Figure 3.
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Figure 3. Cross-section of a new ceramic filter element for CEDI filter-systems.
• Porous Host Structures for Composite Materials: Porous, ceramic structures for metal impregnation can be plates of different
(customised) shape and size, with pore sizes from 0.1 µm to 15 µm. The pore distribution may be symmetric throughout the thickness
of the plate, or asymmetric. The material for these applications is alumina.
C) Materials Technology
Our materials technology is used:
i) for making special, corrosion resistant materials, and
ii) for making alternative materials for membranes
