4.9.1 Microfiltration
This process removes particles between 0.05 and 5 μm in size. The water is pumped at a pressure of 100–400 kPa through the membrane module.
Microfiltration has been adopted by water companies as a means of removing some stages in the life cycle of the chlorine-resistant pathogens Cryptosporidium and Giardia. It is widely used to produce pure water for the electronics, pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries, by removing microbial cells and small particles.