A Fully Automated System for the Determination of Pore Size Distribution in Microfiltration and Ultrafiltration Membranes

Abstract

An automated system controlled by a Amstrad CPC 6128 microcomputer was designed. The apparatus can be used for a fast characterization of MF and UF membranes by the bubble point method. The theory for a modified bubble-point method is reviewed. The system determines pore size, pore size distribution, and surface porosity for the membranes of pore radii not less than 45 nm. The whole experiment takes 3–5 h to complete. The apparatus was tested on various MF and UF membranes (Nuclepore, Synpor, PVC UF, PAN UF, CA UF).