Membralox GP IC Ceramic Membranes for Alternative Protein Clarification
Revolutionizing crossflow filtration with a high yield, compact ceramic membrane design.
Membralox® GP-IC ceramic membranes combine Gradient Permeability and Intermingled Channel designs to support consistent yield and stable filtration performance in complex food processing streams, including high-viscosity solids and variable feeds.
Why is clarification important in fermentation processes?
Fermentation broths contain a mixture of product, cells, and suspended solids. Efficient clarification is required to separate these components and prepare streams for downstream processing.
Variations in solids content and broth composition can influence filtration performance. Consistent clarification supports stable operation and prepares feeds for downstream processing, including microfiltration and ultrafiltration steps. This is particularly important at the first clarification step, where variability can have the greatest impact on filtration performance.
As demand grows for sustainable, highvalue ingredients such as enzymes and alternativeprotein food sources, membrane filtration is increasingly important in production and downstream processing. The ceramic membrane market alone is projected to triple by 2035, while the alternative protein sector is on track to surpass $230 billion.
Membralox GP IC is engineered to support high-performance filtration with a compact footprint and cost efficiency that supports performance and sustainability objectives. This is especially relevant in fermentation processes where broth variability and fouling can affect separation performance. This is particularly important at the first clarification step, where variable feeds and fouling-prone conditions can have the greatest impact on recovery yield and process consistency.
What is Membralox® GP IC?
Membralox® GP-IC combines Gradient Permeability (GP) with Intermingled Channels (IC). These design elements work together to support crossflow microfiltration and ultrafiltration performance in challenging food processing streams.
Designed for separating complex food streams, Membralox GP-IC supports consistent yield across high-viscosity solids and variable feeds. Its gradient permeability design helps maintain stable filtration performance where conventional membranes can struggle. The compact design supports productive operation with fewer modules, enabling a smaller system footprint.
How does Membralox GP-IC support stable filtration performance?
Membralox GP-IC ceramic membranes are designed to support consistent filtration performance across demanding operating conditions. This is especially relevant where solids loading, viscosity, feed variability or fouling can affect separation performance.
- Stable filtration performance: The built-in longitudinal permeability gradient supports a more uniform transmembrane pressure profile along the membrane.
- Consistent yield across variable feeds: GP-IC is designed for complex food streams, including high-viscosity solids and variable feeds.
- Compact system design: Higher surface area per membrane can reduce the number of modules required, supporting a smaller system footprint.
- Durability for demanding conditions: Ceramic membrane construction is suited to high temperatures, aggressive cleaning agents and mechanical stress.
- Reduced resource use: A compact system design supports the page’s existing sustainability message around reduced water, energy and chemical usage.
Video showing Membralox GP-IC cereamic membrane modules
Where can Membralox GP-IC be applied?
Membralox GP-IC membranes are applied in fermentation and downstream processing, including clarification of fermentation broths and recovery of functional ingredients. They are especially relevant in applications where solids loading, viscosity or process variability can challenge conventional filtration approaches.
Typical application areas include:
- Alternative protein production including fermentation, upcycling and plant extraction
- Enzyme and macromolecule recovery
- Clarification of fermentation broths
A compact membrane design for complex food streams
| Model | Channels | Surface Area | Length | Channel Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP4840 | 48 | 0.7 m2 | 1020 mm | 4.0 mm |
| EP2760 | 27 | 0.5 m2 | 1020 mm | 5.5 mm |
Available in microfiltration and ultrafiltration formats (100nm, 0.1 µm, 0.8 µm and 1.4 µm).
From Lab to Line: Pall’s Legacy of Filtration Innovation
Pall has over 60 years of ceramic membrane expertise and supports customers from benchtop trials through pilot testing to full-scale deployment, helping align process design across scales.
Speak with a Pall Expert
Have questions about Membralox GP-IC or your filtration process? Our team can help identify suitable approaches based on your application requirements, feed characteristics and process goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Membralox® GP-IC?
Membralox GP-IC is a ceramic membrane platform that combines Gradient Permeability and Intermingled Channels to support stable filtration performance in crossflow microfiltration and ultrafiltration applications.
How does Membralox GP-IC support consistent yield?
Its gradient permeability design supports a more uniform transmembrane pressure profile along the membrane, helping maintain filtration performance across complex streams, high-viscosity solids and variable feeds.
What efficiency advantages are described?
Higher surface area per membrane can reduce the number of modules required, enabling a smaller system footprint and supporting lower overall system complexity.
What pore size formats are available?
Microfiltration and ultrafiltration formats are available at 100 nm, 0.1 µm, 0.8 µm and 1.4 µm.
Is Membralox GP-IC suitable for challenging food streams?
Yes. The page states it is designed for continuous long runs of high-fouling, high-viscosity fluids.
Where can I find more information?
Watch the on-page video, download the available product information or contact the Pall team to discuss your process requirements.
Speak with a Pall expert today and discover how GP-IC can transform your operation.