Membrane filtration

Membrane cartridges are available in various sizes, finenesses, materials and end cap connections and are the most advanced techology in dead end filtration. If you currently already use membrane filters and would like an alternative to your current filter, please contact Van Borselen Filters on 0031 (0)79 34 123 14 or via info@vanborselen.nl. Van Borselen Filters has a suitable alternative on all brands and stands for developing the best product quality of membrane filtration technology.

What is a membrane?

The membrane surface acts as a physical barrier that enables the separation of particles in a way of dead end filtration. The membrane surface consists of many micropores with a given pore diameter, which hold particles larger than that specific pore size when a liquid or gas is passed through the barrier.

Membrane filters for microfiltration

Membrane technology is an advanced filtration technique that uses filter cartridges with membrane materials, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PES (polyethersulphone), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and nylon. These materials are valued for their excellent chemical resistance, thermal stability and membranes with fine and small pore sizes to enable microfiltration.

Different polymeric membranes

Different gases and liquids require different membrane filtration techniques.

• PTFE membrane cartridges are designed to have high chemical resistance and are ideal for applications where aggressive chemicals are present. They offer excellent retention of particles and micro-organisms, such a bacteria, making them suitable for critical filtration applications in the pharmaceutical industry, food and beverage industry, as well as semi conductor industries. PTFE membrane filtration is also applied to (storage) tanks to aerate them. This type of material is suitable for filtering gases. The PTFE membrane works as a barrier for bacteria found in gases such as air.
• PES microporous membranes combine high flow rates and low initial pressure differential with excellent retention of micro-organisms, e.g. to remove bacteria from aqueous solutions. They are suitable for filtering liquids containing many different types of suspended solids, with a wide range of pH values and are resistant to sterilisation processes, such as autoclaving. PES membrane cartridges are widely used in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, beverages and other critical applications in a way of dead end filtration in liquid filtration processes.
• PVDF membrane cartridges offer excellent resistance to both acids and bases, making them suitable for a wide range of chemical applications. They have high thermal stability and can be used at temperatures up to 100°C. PVDF membrane filter candles are often used in chemical processing, the semiconductor industry, and the handling of aggressive chemicals.
  All our membrane filters are available in different pore sizes ranging from 0.1 µm to 1.0 µm.

Flexibility in materials

The membrane cartridges are available in different materials, such as PTFE, PES and PVDF. They are available in different pore sizes and offer reliable filtration solutions for various applications where fine filtration and/or chemical resistance is required. Due to the material's precise pore size and efficient filtration capacity, they can effectively remove particles, micro-organisms and other contaminants with a given pore size, while maintaining the desired fluid flow.

Different membrane filtration products for different filtration processes

The regular membrane filter cartridge is a product that is placed in a housing just like other filter cartridges. This product is available in different lengths, ranging from 10‘ to 40’ length. In addition, different code connections are available, ensuring that the filter fits perfectly into the housing, thereby avoiding bypass of contamination during the membrane filtration process. These filters are widely used in large scale high end industrial applications.

For all applications, PTFE, PES and PVDF membrane cartridges can be selected based on the desired chemical compatibility, temperature resistance and filtration goals. In addition to regular membrane filter candles, other variants such as junior filter candles, capsules and double-layer membrane filter candles are also available, offering unique advantages in specific gas or liquid filtration applications.

• Double-layer membrane cartridges consist of two layers of membrane technology with different properties, such as pore size and retention capacity. The outer layer acts as a pre-filter to stop coarse particles and contaminants, while the inner layer provides finer filtration to remove micro-organisms and fine particles. This construction ensures more efficient membrane filtration and longer filter life. Double-layer membrane filter candles are often used in applications where high filtration efficiency is required, such as in the pharmaceutical, electronics and beverage industries.
• Junior filter cartridges are available in 2.5" length and 5" length. They are used in small scale applications or in lab applications. They are used in both gas and liquid filtration processes.
• Capsules are a specific type of membrane technology. Capsules consist of a cartridge and a housing in one element. They are suitable in single use applications or in applications where sterile filtration is needed. They are used in both gas and liquid filtration applications.

When to change the filters?

These filters are used in pressure driven membrane processes. When the pressure difference hits 2 bar, the filter needs to be changed. It is highly depending on the filtration process , the material used, the pore size and amount of contaminents, such as bacteria, when the 2 bar differntial pressure is reached.

When selecting the right filter variant, such as junior filters, capsules or double-layer membrane filters, and when selecting the right material, it is important to consider the specific filtration requirements and demands of your application. Consult one of our specialists for tailored advice and to choose the most suitable membrane products for your membrane filtration processes.

In short, membrane filtration offer advanced solutions for liquids or gas purification. With different membrane types such as PTFE, PES, PVDF and nylon, membrane cartridges can efficiently remove particles, micro-organisms, such as bacteria, and other contaminants. These filter cartridges are suitable for various applications where a membrane filtration process is needed, ranging from a critical filtration process in the pharmaceutical and food industries to handling aggressive chemicals in chemical processing. Moreover, different solutions such as junior filters, capsules and double-layer microfiltration membranes are available, offering additional options for specific filtration needs.

Contact our specialists for a personal consultation and we will advise you on choosing the right filter solutions for your microfiltration membranes needs.