What process involved in filtration removes particles based on size?

The process involved in filtration that removes particles based on size is known as occlusion. In filtration, especially in liquid filtration processes, occlusion refers to the trapping or blocking of particles by the filter medium. This occurs when the filter has openings or pores that are preferentially sized to capture and hold varying size particles present in the fluid. The effectiveness of a filtration system largely depends on the size of the filter media compared to the particles being filtered.

For example, filters can be designed to target specific particle sizes, allowing smaller particles to pass through while larger particles are physically obstructed. This mechanism is vital in applications such as water treatment, air purification, and industrial processes where the removal of particulates is necessary for maintaining the quality of the final product.

While adsorption involves particles adhering to a filter medium, and oxidation pertains to chemical reactions often involving oxygen, neither directly relates to the physical size-based removal of particles. Reduction generally refers to a decrease in something, but it does not specifically relate to the filtration of particles based on size either. Hence, occlusion is the correct process in the context of size-based filtration.