Thickness
Zyramic membranes are about 250 microns thick including the support. A thicker composite generally stands up better to abrasion, handling and repeated flexing than a very thin one, while the thin active layer on top sets filtration performance. That is why we describe the membrane as robust, though actual life still depends on how the plant is run.
Hollow fiber, typical flat sheet and Zyramic cartridges
How the three approaches generally compare in service:
| Feature | Hollow fiber | Typical flat sheet | Zyramic cartridge (Swing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement | Whole bundle or module | Full panels or cassettes | Replace a cartridge quickly: swap one small cartridge in minutes without pulling the whole module |
| Owner maintenance | Bundle repair or replacement often needs specialist help | Panels or cassettes usually lifted as a unit | Surface servicing: sheets stay sealed in their small, cost-effective cartridge, so you swap the whole cartridge quickly, in minutes, in-house with basic tools and little downtime |
| Wear and tear | Fibers can break at the potting | Large sheets flex in service | Small sheets flex less, for less wear and tear |
| Edge seals | Potted fiber ends | Varies by design | Strong wide membrane welds, designed to resist delamination |
| Membrane | Thin fibers | Varies | Thick, about 250 microns including support, for robust service |
| Ragging | Hair can wrap fiber bundles | Open channels | Open channels between small sheets |
| Inspection | Bundle examined closely | Panel lifted to inspect | A lifted cartridge shows its condition at a glance |
| Custom sizing | Fixed module sizes | Often fixed sizes | Cartridge and module sizes tailored to your tanks in many cases |
Performance depends on pretreatment, design flux and operation.
Smaller sheets, less wear
A large unsupported sheet flexes more and concentrates stress at its edges. Zyramic uses smaller sheets, so each one moves less and sees less wear and tear over years of operation. Smaller units also mean that if one is damaged, less membrane area is affected and the swap is smaller.
Strong wide membrane welds
Edge seals are where delamination often starts. Zyramic uses strong wide membrane welds, designed to resist delamination over the membrane's life. Palisade welds PES membrane onto solid polypropylene plates; Swing uses welded thin-film sheets in cartridges. See delamination causes for more.
Worked sizing example
Take a 79,252 gpd (300 m³/day) plant with abrasive grit in the feed:
| Item | US | Metric | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average flow | 79,252 gpd | 300 m³/day | about 55 gpm (12,500 L/h) |
| Design flux (gross) | 8.8 gfd | 15 LMH | Zyramic design guidance |
| Derate for relaxation and cleaning | ~20% | ~20% | |
| Net flux | ~7.1 gfd | ~12 LMH | |
| Membrane area needed | ~11,212 ft² | ~1,042 m² | average flow ÷ net flux |
| Swing-8 cartridges | ~84 | ~84 | 135 ft² (12.5 m²) each |
| Peak factor | ~2.0 | ~2.0 | |
| Peak flow | ~158,503 gpd | ~600 m³/day | extra area, short-term higher flux, or equalization |
This is an illustration only; a real design also checks temperature, MLSS, redundancy and the cleaning schedule.
Tips for a smooth project
- Compare modules on lifecycle, not area alone
- Plan how replacement parts will be sourced later
- Allow room for handling and inspection
- Check cassette dimensions before ordering replacements
Next step
A good way to see which design choices matter most for your plant is to look at your own maintenance history. Tell us what has needed attention in the past, and we will explain which of our options fits it best.
Sizing considerations
To give a useful recommendation we usually need:
- Current membrane life and failure modes
- Grit and abrasives in the feed
- Cleaning chemistry
- Plate or cartridge dimensions
- Quantity needed
Most relevant product: Palisade MBR. See also replacement membranes, rentals and how to choose.
Why engineers look at Zyramic flat-sheet modules
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Smaller sheets, less wear and tear | each sheet flexes less in service, and a damaged unit affects less area. |
| Strong wide membrane welds | designed to resist delamination over the membrane's life. |
| Thick, robust membrane | about 250 microns including support. |
| Assembled in Poughkeepsie, NY | of domestic and imported components. In our Poughkeepsie shop we cut and weld membrane sheets to plates, build module frames and assemble complete modules. For funded projects, tell us your domestic-content requirements and we'll review what we can document. |
| Buy, rent or replace | new modules, rentals and pilots for US projects, and replacement membranes that fit many existing cassettes. |
Performance and life depend on pretreatment, design flux and operation; flux figures are Zyramic design guidance, sized to each project.
Frequently asked questions
Does a thicker membrane reduce flux?
Flux is set mainly by the thin active layer and operation, not total thickness. We size each project with our design guidance.
How long will your membrane last?
Life depends on conditions, and our design choices aim for robust service. We are glad to review your plant's history.
Do you offer samples?
Ask with your quote request.
Is there a warranty?
Yes, see our written warranty under Resources.
Which plants benefit most from a thicker membrane?
Plants with grit carryover, frequent handling, or a history of tears and delamination tend to notice the difference most.
Does a thick membrane cost more?
Material cost is one factor among many; we quote each project and compare lifecycle cost.