SLS · Technology
Solid-Liquid Separation
Some of the hardest separations are not chemical, they are physical. Tailings slurries, biological broths, fermentation streams, and process residues all need solids removed before downstream treatment. Petro Sep designs membrane-based and hybrid systems that concentrate solids and deliver clean filtrate without filter aids or rotating equipment.
What it solves
Performance you can size against.
The outcomes below come from commissioned systems and verified pilots, not theoretical limits. Every number is independently testable on your own feed.
- Solids concentration
- Up to 35 wt%
- Without polymeric flocculants.
- Filtrate clarity
- <5 NTU
- Direct feed to downstream RO or clean water reuse.
- Cake handling
- Mechanical or pneumatic discharge for direct disposal or further processing.
How it works
The working principle.
Crossflow or dynamic membrane filtration concentrates suspended solids while passing clarified filtrate. Modules are designed for high solids tolerance, with mechanical or air-assisted backwash to manage cake build-up. For challenging feeds, we combine SLS with chemical conditioning upstream and dewatering downstream.
Performance envelope
Specs and operating range.
For preliminary sizing only. Production sizing is always validated against your specific feed.
- Solids loading tolerance
- Up to 50,000mg/L TSS
- Final solids concentration
- Up to 35wt%
- Filtrate turbidity
- <5NTU
- Operating pressure
- 1 to 6bar
- Crossflow velocity
- 2 to 6m/s
- Membrane type
- Ceramic or polymeric
- Membrane life (typical)
- 5 to 10years (ceramic)
How we compare
SLS vs the alternatives.
Where Solid-Liquid Separation wins, where it does not, and where the alternatives are honestly the better fit.
| Trait | SLS (Crossflow Membrane) | Belt or Plate Filter Press | Centrifuge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solids tolerance | Up to 50,000 mg/L TSS feed, 35 wt% concentrate | High, but batch operation | Very high, continuous |
| Filtrate quality | <5 NTU, often direct to RO | Moderate (50 to 200 NTU) | Good (10 to 50 NTU) |
| Continuous vs batch | Continuous | Batch (load, press, unload) | Continuous |
| Maintenance burden | Low; periodic CIP, occasional module swap | High; cloth replacement, mechanical wear | High; bearings, seals, vibration management |
| Best fit | Continuous high-throughput dewatering with clean filtrate requirement | Batch, intermittent, where filtrate clarity is secondary | Very high solids loading, clarity not critical |
Solids tolerance
SLS (Crossflow Membrane)
Up to 50,000 mg/L TSS feed, 35 wt% concentrate
Belt or Plate Filter Press
High, but batch operation
Centrifuge
Very high, continuous
Filtrate quality
SLS (Crossflow Membrane)
<5 NTU, often direct to RO
Belt or Plate Filter Press
Moderate (50 to 200 NTU)
Centrifuge
Good (10 to 50 NTU)
Continuous vs batch
SLS (Crossflow Membrane)
Continuous
Belt or Plate Filter Press
Batch (load, press, unload)
Centrifuge
Continuous
Maintenance burden
SLS (Crossflow Membrane)
Low; periodic CIP, occasional module swap
Belt or Plate Filter Press
High; cloth replacement, mechanical wear
Centrifuge
High; bearings, seals, vibration management
Best fit
SLS (Crossflow Membrane)
Continuous high-throughput dewatering with clean filtrate requirement
Belt or Plate Filter Press
Batch, intermittent, where filtrate clarity is secondary
Centrifuge
Very high solids loading, clarity not critical
Where it's deployed
Industries that use this process.
Solid-Liquid Separation fits some sectors better than others. The industries below are where we have shipped multiple systems.
Engineering FAQ
Questions engineers ask.
The questions we hear weekly. If you have a different one, send it with your consultation request and we will answer it directly.
Ceramic or polymeric membranes?
Can it handle biological streams?
What about flocculants?
Cake handling?
Have a feed that SLS
might fit?
We will pilot before we promise. Send us a sample and a target outcome. If the technology fits, we will tell you what to expect; if it does not, we will tell you that too.