Super hydrophilic cartridge for sterile filtration

Porvair Filtration Group has added an enhanced range of microbial rated disposable cartridge filters to its range of liquid filters.

Biofil R cartridges are an addition to the successful Biofil polyethersulphone Food Safety and USP Class IV approved range of filters, and are said to feature a novel technology that renders the product super-hydrophilic.

Integrity testing of sterilising filter cartridges requires the membrane to be fully wetted; a cartridge that is insufficiently wetted will result in a false failure and require a retest or rejection of an intact filter.

This development extends the availability of Biofil cartridges to users that are currently unable to easily wet and integrity test filter cartridges due to low feed pressure and flow. 

It is claimed that he extensive features and benefits of Biofil R cartridges exceed any competitor’s range of PDVF, nylon, mixed cellulose ester or polysulphone membranes.

Using the latest developments in membrane technology, the cartridges can provide sterile filtration, bioburden reduction and the clarification of a wide range of process liquids and end products.

Manufactured based on a polyethersulphone membrane with an asymmetric pore structure, the cartridges also have optimal filtration pack construction to maximise the available filtration area and to ensure an efficient flow.

The filter membrane, combined with the quality all-polypropylene cartridge components and high integrity manufacturing techniques, common to all Porvair cartridge filters, results in high-strength, high-efficiency and long life disposable cartridges; thus ensuring consistent microbial retention, lower costs and high performance.

The low non-specific protein binding characteristics of the membranes result in less product loss and a longer life.

These disposable filters are highly resistant to integrity failure caused by steam sterilisation and have excellent chemical compatibility characteristics; to allow repeated Steam in Place and Clean in Place cycles.

Mike Hughes, General Manager, said: “Many of our existing clients tell us that the new Biofil R cartridges are a welcome addition to our range of cartridges.

“Conventional PES membrane filters offer significant process advantages with respect to flow and fouling resistance compared to others, but difficulties with wetting has hindered their easy adoption. The Biofil R overcomes this barrier.

“The launch of this range represents another step forward in our commitment to serve the scientific, medical, pharmaceutical, and R&D sectors.”