Unlike other filtration processes such as sieving, centrifugation, and distillation, ultrafiltration uses semipermeable membranes designed specifically for size-based separations. These membranes allow only molecules with sizes equal to or smaller than their designated molecular weight cut-offs (MWCOs) to pass through them. Various contaminants and impurities are filtered out as the flow passes through these membranes, leaving a purified solution. UF is commonly used in water purification systems as it can effectively remove bacteria and virus particles from untreated water sources. The process can also be used in other industrial processes such as food production, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and biotechnology industries, among many others. Additionally, the process is well suited for managing salt concentrations simply by desalinating the solutes without changing the pH levels of the solvent by removing dissolved salts like sodium chloride through ionic binding.