A technique of chemical impregnation by precursor solution was developed for the formation of thin films in microporous tubes and tubular membranes. The performance of this technique was analyzed by the microfiltration process of emulsions (vegetable oil/water) and bacteria suspensions (Escherichia coli) of the whey of milk of cheese processing. The microporous tubes (nominal pore size 0.5 µm) were impregnated with a precursor zirconia solution and calcined at 600 and 900 ºC to influence the improvement of the demulsification process. Ceramic membranes (nominal pore size between 0.8 µm and 1.2 µm) were impregnated with a silver precursor and calcined at 600 °C forming metallic silver to act as bactericide in the residual bacteria suspension of the dairy products. The impregnated porous medium was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results of the permeate analysis for values of organic carbon content refer to emulsion treatment and the value of counting of bacteria by plating analysis is related to the treatment of bacteria suspension. The results were analyzed as a function of the performance and influence of the impregnation regarding the presence of zirconia or silver for each application.
impregnation; silver; zirconia; cross-flow filtration; bacterium; emulsion
