The department of Polymer Technology (PMT) within the Institute of Polymer Research at Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht has a long experience in the construction of membrane modules and plants for membrane separations.

Examples for membrane plants at HZG

Survey of plants sorted by separation methods

Dampfpermeationstestzelle

Newly developed membranes are tested for the permeability of different organic vapors in the depicted vapor permeation test apparatus. The installation inside a commercially available drying oven allows simple thermostating to constant temperature.

Module Test

The permeability of a varity of gases is measured in gas permeation test plants. These are available for different membrane areas, reaching from small test cells (in the range from 10 to 1000 cm²) up to modules (some m²).


High pressure circuit for testcells
Circuit driven by pressurized air for testcells
Permeability measurement for single gases (testcells)
Permeability measurement with increasing vapour pressure (testcells)
TimeLag measurement (testcells)

Circuit for module tests
Circuit driven by pressurized air for modules

Pervaporation test apparatus

Pervaporation properties of newly developed membranes are measured in pervaporation test devices, available in different sizes regarding the membrane area (testcells in the range from 10 to 1000 cm², up to modules of some m²).

Test apparatuses for testcell measurements
Transportable container for module tests

Nanofiltration plant

Nanofiltration plant for tests using large testcells or modules.

Nanofiltration apparatus for testcells

Nanofiltration apparatus for small testcells that can be integrated into a commercial hood and that is therefore suitable for tests with poisonous and/or bad smelling substances.