The pro and con concerning a decision for application of a membrane system instead of a conventional technology or process depends on the costs for operating and investment. In respect thereof the top layer formation at the membrane surface is a general problem because it influences the performance of a membrane system considerably. The formation of membrane layers is a concomitant phenomenon of concentration polarization and scaling. It correlates also directly with the fouling potential of a membrane and the applied process medium.

For the high performance membrane technology DTE flow initiators are used to prevent performance decreasing membrane coatings. These special flow initiators are elastic free movable barriers whose oscillation is stimulated by pneumatic, hydraulic or electro dynamic drives. In that manner it is possible to move only that volume in the reaction space which is required for reaction control or substantial separation.

This means that at a comparatively less pump capacity local into the retentate space a very high flow velocity is generated. Relating to the membrane total system this accords to a modified cross-flow operation where the process conditions are quasi similar to a dead-end operating mode.

DTE flow initiators are applied successfully for conditioning of laundry waste water, silicon carbide slurries as well as to separate polysaccharides or proteins from aqueous solutions. On the basis of these applications it is shown that the advantageous use of DTE flow initiators places operators in a position to save operating costs.

On request we manufacture DTE flow initiators for our customers which can be integrated in membrane systems or can be applied for instance in combination with membrane modules, membrane reactors as well as DTE composite catalyst elements. Frequency and amplitude of the moveable barriers are controlled respectively triggered by an automatic control unit. On demand and clarification of technical details DTE flow initiators are deliverable with plane flange connector for laboratory apparatuses for example, standard flange connector or special flow against cone for retrofitting of existing membrane systems with pipe or capillary membranes.