What is the pore size range for microfiltration and which contaminants can it remove?

The pore size range for microfiltration is typically between 0.1 micrometers (100 nanometers) and 10 micrometers. This filtration process is effective at removing larger microorganisms such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, as well as bacteria. These contaminants are generally within the size range that microfiltration can effectively capture, thus ensuring that the treated water is free from these pathogens.

Microfiltration utilizes physical barriers to filter out suspended solids and particulate matter, which includes a variety of pathogens that are significant to water quality and human health. Because microfiltration has larger pores compared to more advanced filtration methods like ultrafiltration, it does not effectively remove viruses, which are smaller and require tighter filtration processes. This is a crucial distinction in understanding the capabilities and limitations of microfiltration as a treatment method.