A separation technique that removes solid particles from a liquid or gas by passing the mixture through a porous material (filter). Simple filtration uses filter paper; vacuum filtration (Buchner funnel) is faster. The residue on the filter is the precipitate; the liquid is the filtrate.
Properties & Characteristics
Filtration is the separation of a solid (residue) from a liquid or gas by passing the mixture through a porous material (filter paper, Büchner funnel, membrane filter, sintered glass frit) that retains the solid while allowing the liquid (filtrate) to pass. Gravity filtration uses atmospheric pressure; vacuum filtration (Büchner funnel) is faster. Membrane filtration (0.2 μm PTFE) is used for sterile filtration.
Uses & Applications
Filtration is used to: collect precipitates in gravimetric analysis, purify reaction products, clarify solutions, sterilise liquids (membrane filtration), remove particulates from industrial process streams, and in water treatment (sand filters). Ultrafiltration separates macromolecules by membrane porosity.
Safety Information
Vacuum filtration with flammable solvents requires appropriate water-resistant trapping to prevent solvent ingestion into vacuum pump oil (environmental and fire hazard). Hot filtrations carry burn and bumping risks. Filtration of toxic or pathogenic suspensions requires containment.
Always consult the SDS/MSDS before handling any chemical. This information is for educational purposes only.
A separation technique that removes solid particles from a liquid or gas by passing the mixture through a porous material (filter). Simple filtration uses filter paper; vacuum filtration (Buchner funnel) is faster. The residue on the filter is the precipitate; the liquid is the filtrate.
Filtration is used to: collect precipitates in gravimetric analysis, purify reaction products, clarify solutions, sterilise liquids (membrane filtration), remove particulates from industrial process streams, and in water treatment (sand filters). Ultrafiltration separates macromolecules by membrane …
Vacuum filtration with flammable solvents requires appropriate water-resistant trapping to prevent solvent ingestion into vacuum pump oil (environmental and fire hazard). Hot filtrations carry burn and bumping risks. Filtration of toxic or pathogenic suspensions requires containment.
Editorial standards: Chemical data is sourced from peer-reviewed literature,
CAS Registry, NIST WebBook, and PubChem. Safety information reflects guidance from OSHA, ECHA,
and IAEA. For educational purposes only — always consult official SDS documentation and qualified
professionals before handling chemicals.
