Armfield – Miniature-Scale Research & Development Technology – FT18MKII Modular Cross Flow Filtration
The Armfield FT18-MkII is a small pilot-scale cross-flow filtration system designed to operate with a range of membrane module configurations. It can operate with as little as 5-10 litres of material but still give data that is useful for process scale-up. It can be used over the full range of cross-flow filtration applications from microfiltration through to reverse osmosis. It is the perfect tool to use, following on from flat sheet membrane trials with the FT17, for further process development and scale-up.
The system uses a high-pressure piston-recirculation pump to circulate product through the filter module of choice.
The triple-piston design combined with high-pressure flexibles minimises pressure pulsation. The operator can use their own feed vessel or this can be specified (FT18-20 option). The speed of the recirculation pump can be adjusted to suit the particular filtration module and the product. The retentate back-pressure valve enables pressures up to 50 bar to be achieved. Accidental system over-pressure is avoided by a bursting disc downstream of the recirculation pump.
There is a permeate back-pressure valve so that accurate transmembrane pressures (TMP) can be set. Pressure sensors are sited on the retentate side on the inlet and outlet of the filter module, as well as on the permeate side. Any temperature gain in the retentate through recirculation at high pressure is removed using a 316 stainless steel shell and tube heat exchanger, which has corrugated tubes for improved heat transfer.
Key Features
FT18MKII Modular Cross Flow Filtration
Key Features
- Four membrane module options:
- Ceramic
- Spiral wound
- Hollow fibre
- Tubular
- Capable of microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and revese osmosis operations
- Maximum filtration pressure of 50 bar
- Clean-in-place capability
- Backpulsing option (suitable for certain modules)
- Variable retentate flow rate in order to change filtration cross-flow velocity
- Retentate electronic flowmeter measurement
- Retentate and permeate back pressure valves
- Pressure sensors on the retentate inlet and outlet of the filtration module and on the permeate line
- Mass balance option for permeate flow rate measurement
- All parameters are data logged
Benefits
- Ability to assess the important cross-flow filtration mdule types on a single system
- Fully instrumented to allow the effect of process variables on filtration performance to be measured and logged
- Assessment of the effect of backpulsing on extending the time between CIP steps
- 5-10-litre processing volume enables development with minimal product
- Simple cleaning and maintenance protocols
Key Industries
- Powders & Pigments / Coating
- Pharmaceutical
- Oil & Gas
- Food & Beverage
- Education & Academics
- Cosmetics & Personal Care
- Chemical
- Biopharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Brand
The Armfield Industrial Division designs and manufactures research & development systems, primarily for the food, beverage, dairy, edible oil and pharmaceutical industries. Used by many of the world’s leading corporations, Armfield systems enable researchers and product developers to replicate full-scale industrial manufacturing processes on a miniature-scale in the laboratory.
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