Final answer:
Cross-Flow Micro-filtration is a separation process that uses a porous membrane to filter solids from fluids, with the fluid flowing parallel to the filter to reduce fouling. Pressure across the filter medium facilitates this process, and it is commonly used in water treatment and air purification.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cross-Flow Micro-filtration (CFM) is a process that involves the separation of solids from a fluid using a porous membrane. This membrane acts as a barrier to allow the fluid to pass while trapping the solid particles. In CFM, the fluid flows parallel to the filter surface rather than perpendicular, reducing the buildup of material on the surface (fouling) and allowing for continuous operation. High technological filter systems and artificial membranes are often used to achieve the desired cleanness and filtering speed.
Pressure is a common method for inducing filtration, creating a pressure drop across the filter medium, which induces the fluid to move through the membrane. The effectiveness of this can be seen in various applications, including water treatment, where multiple layers like sand, gravel, and charcoal remove particles before the water is disinfected and stored.
Membrane filters, such as HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, are also used to remove microbes, endospores, and even viruses in both clinical and laboratory settings. These filters work under the principle of trapping particles that are larger than the pores in the filter medium.