Water purification
Water purification
On the strength of the know-how and technological development gained through extensive experience in blood filtration, today Medica S.p.A.’s Water Division manufactures and distributes two unique hollow-fibre membranes for water purification, which offer complete protection based on the size of the pores and the adsorption capacity of the membranes themselves:
- MediSulfone® - polysulfone (PS) ultrafiltration membrane, used for almost 20 years in the field of dialysis in order to obtain ultra-pure dialysate, and in various other applications for the retention of bacteria, viruses and endotoxins, particulates/microplastics, and more generally all substances with a molecular weight greater than 15 kDa and dimensions greater than 0.005 µm
- Versatile-PES® - polyethersulfone (PES) microfiltration membrane, used in various applications for the retention of bacteria, yeasts, mould and algae, particulates/microplastics, and more generally all substances with a molecular weight greater than 1000 kDa and dimensions greater than 0.15 µm
In 2020, Medica S.p.A. joined Graphene Flagship, a major EU graphene research initiative, and it also co-ordinates the Graphil Project through a network of industrial and academic partners, including CNR-ISOF (Italian national research council), the Universities of Manchester (UK) and Chalmer (SE), Icon Lifesaver (UK) and Polymem (FR).
The goal is, by 2023, to bring to market a new generation of filters incorporating the membrane filtration with the adsorption properties offered by graphene to filter out emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and PFAS (harmful perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances), in response to the requirements of the new directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption (2020/2184 EU). The Graphil filters will contribute to the achievement of the environmental sustainability goals laid out by the UN and EU: reduction in plastic bottles, greater safety and use of drinking water, consumer trust.
Medica S.p.A.’s filters are made from moulded polymers such as polycarbonate, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and co-polyester, in a wide range of filter surface areas from 0.02 to 2 m2 and total filter length from approximately 60 to 400 mm. All production takes place in special ISO 14644 compliant cleanrooms, 100% tested in accordance with strict protocols of the ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 internal quality system, biocompatibility per EN ISO 10993.
MOCA certification - Report Rev. 00- 21/12/2018
Medica S.p.A.’s filters are particularly suited for purification of water from the mains, wells, surface run-off, rainwater harvesting, process water and saltwater; they are also available in sterile versions and are used mainly in residential, catering, medical (ultra-pure water), infection control, pharma & lab, and outdoor activities/survival fields.