Tenselo WTR-006 sizes a preliminary ultrafiltration duty from the required net product flow, feed-water category, selected module and laboratory results. It keeps backwash, cleaning and standby allowances visible so gross membrane capacity is not mistaken for delivered water.
Using ultrafiltration design software for a preliminary duty
Start with the required net product flow and the source-water analysis. Tenselo WTR-006 brings module count, rack arrangement, recovery and cleaning allowances into one sizing workflow. Compare the delivered-water requirement with the feed, waste and backwash duties before carrying the preliminary arrangement into a supplier review.
- Define the duty: record net product flow, operating hours, feed-water type and temperature.
- Set the arrangement: select the module data, rack capacity, standby allowance and cleaning options used for the calculation.
- Review the outputs: check installed flux, operating and standby modules, feed and waste flows, backwash and air requirements together.
- Confirm the equipment: obtain current membrane performance data, pressure limits and cleaning requirements for the actual water before specification.
Manufacturer projection software has a different role in confirming a particular product selection. For example, DuPont WAVE PRO models supported UF, ion-exchange, RO and NF technologies. A preliminary Tenselo result does not replace that product-specific assessment, supplier confirmation or pilot testing where required.
If the treatment process is still undecided, first review the water-treatment selection workflow, then return here with the UF duty defined.
Inputs for UF skid sizing
Enter the net product-water flow, operating hours and feed-water type. Select the membrane module, rack capacity, standby arrangement and air-assisted backwash option. Add the relevant water analysis and temperature because fouling risk and viscosity affect the design flux.
The required product flow should state whether it is net of backwash and cleaning losses. WTR-006 calculates the corresponding feed and waste flows and reports the installed operating flux after the selected module count is applied.
Worked surface-water UF example
This WTR-006 example sizes 200 m³/h of net product water from a dam using the calculator's legacy HYDRAcap MAX 80 data and N+1 standby capacity.
| Output | Calculated value |
|---|---|
| Duty arrangement | 30 modules in one duty rack plus one standby rack |
| Installed modules | 60 |
| Design-basis flux | 65 LMH |
| Net recovery | 92% |
| Feed flow | About 217 m³/h |
| Waste flow | About 17 m³/h |
| Backwash | About 12,000 L/min per rack for roughly 40 seconds each hour |
| Air scour | About 420 m³/h per rack |
The module, cleaning and backwash settings require confirmation against the current manufacturer data and the actual source water.
Current product status: Hydranautics announced that production and distribution of various HYDRAcap hollow-fibre products moved to NX Filtration. Current models, materials and operating data may differ from this legacy MAX 80 example. Review the manufacturer's product-transition notice and obtain a current project-specific selection before specifying equipment.
What ultrafiltration does and does not remove
UF can remove suspended particles and provide a barrier for bacteria and protozoa when the complete system is designed and operated for that purpose. It does not remove dissolved salts, hardness, nitrate, arsenic or boron. High true colour and dissolved organics may require upstream coagulation or another process.
Use reverse-osmosis design when dissolved salts or selected dissolved contaminants control the treatment target. Use treatment-process selection to assess the complete sequence.
Checks before a UF system is specified
- Seasonal turbidity, algae, colour, temperature and fouling behaviour
- Net product flow after backwash, chemical cleaning and downtime
- Backwash tank, pumps, air supply and waste handling
- Cleaning chemicals, neutralisation, materials and operator requirements
- Duty and standby philosophy and the effect of an unavailable rack
- Current HYDRAcap product information and, where appropriate, pilot testing
Questions
What does an ultrafiltration sizing calculator calculate?
Tenselo WTR-006 estimates duty and standby modules, racks, membrane area, installed flux, recovery, feed and waste flows, backwash, air scour and cleaning allowances.
Does ultrafiltration remove salt and hardness?
No. UF targets suspended material and microbial particles. Dissolved salts, hardness, nitrate, arsenic and boron pass through and may require RO, ion exchange or another process.
Should UF flow be entered as feed flow or product flow?
WTR-006 starts with the required net product-water duty and calculates the feed and waste flows after the selected recovery and cleaning allowances.
Is pilot testing required for UF?
Pilot testing may be needed where source variability, fouling, colour, algae or the required treated-water quality cannot be established confidently from the available data and manufacturer guidance.