← Technology WikiUF Membrane (Ultrafiltration)
A UF (ultrafiltration) membrane filters water through 0.01-micron pores — fine enough to remove bacteria, colloids, and suspended solids, while letting dissolved minerals pass through.
How it works
- Pore size around 0.01 micron: ~100x larger than RO, ~10x smaller than microfiltration.
- Removes bacteria, colloids, and turbidity — but NOT dissolved salts.
- Works at low pressure (typically 15–45 PSI), so no booster pump is needed in most cases.
- Keeps beneficial minerals in the water, which is why UF is popular for municipal tap water polishing.
Key specifications
| Pore size | ≈0.01 micron |
| Removes | Bacteria, colloids, suspended solids |
| Does not remove | Dissolved salts (TDS unchanged) |
| Operating pressure | 15–45 PSI (no pump needed) |
| Typical lifespan | 1–2 years |
What buyers and QC should check
- Match the membrane to the water source: UF is for already-treated tap water, not for high-TDS well water — that needs RO.
- For B2B buyers: clarify whether the tender requires bacterial removal (UF) or desalination (RO); mixing them up is a common spec error.
- Check flux ratings at your actual feed pressure, not just the lab nominal.
Free one-page QC checklist (PDF)
The buyer checks from this entry, condensed for the factory floor or the inspection. No signup needed.
Download free PDF checklistCommon questions
UF vs RO — which do I need?
If your tap water TDS is normal (100–500 ppm) and you want better taste plus bacterial safety, UF is enough and cheaper to run. If TDS is high or you need desalinated water, you need RO.
Does UF need electricity?
Usually not — municipal line pressure (15–45 PSI) is enough to drive UF, unlike RO which typically needs a booster pump.
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