Effects of crossflow velocity and transmembrane pressure on microfiltration of oil-in-water emulsions

► Analysis of membrane rejection of thin oil films by pores of different cross-section. ► Crossflow increases critical pressure of permeation of an oil drop into a circular pore. ► Droplet breakup at the pore entrance is determined by crossflow and pressure gradient. ► The phase diagram for the droplet rejection, permeation and breakup is computed.