Membrane cartridges

LifePure F&B

PES membrane cartridge for beverages

Microorganism control before beverage packaging

Asymmetric PES membrane filter cartridge from 0.2 to 1.2 µm, steam-sterilizable, for retaining microorganisms before beverages are packaged.

Line: LifePure · Polyethersulfone (PES)
Pore sizes: 0.2 µm to 1.2 µm
Lengths: 10″ · 20″ · 30″ · 40″
Manufacturing: Argentina · ISO 7 cleanroom

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LifePure F&B, PES membrane cartridge for beverages by Exova

Description

The LifePure F&B is an asymmetric polyethersulfone (PES) membrane filter cartridge for retaining microorganisms before beverage packaging. Controlling them prevents spoilage, and the beverage keeps its properties.

The membrane has open pores on the outer face that narrow down to the final pore of the filter. This structure allows high flow rates with low pressure drop and has a high contaminant retention capacity. There are five ratings, from 0.2 to 1.2 µm, with 6,000 cm² of filtration area per 10″.

It withstands repeated sanitization cycles with hot water at 80 °C and with chemical cleaning and disinfection agents, as well as multiple steam sterilizations in-line or in an autoclave. This resistance allows the cartridge to be reused.

Asymmetric PES membrane

Open pores on the outer face that narrow down to the final pore: high flow rates and low pressure drop.

Sterilizing retention at 0.2 µm

More than 10⁷ Brevundimonas diminuta per cm², according to the FDA definition of sterilizing-grade filters.

Steam, hot water, and chemicals

Cycles of 30 to 60 minutes with steam at 121 °C, water at 80 °C, peracetic acid, or sodium hydroxide at 1 %.

Manufactured in an ISO 7 cleanroom

Rinsed with purified water after manufacturing, with integrity checked at origin by diffusive flow.

Food-grade materials

Compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177 and Directive 2002/72/EC, and non-toxic according to the Argentine Food Code.

Microbial retention

Values stated in the LifePure F&B catalog.

0.2 µm > 10⁷ /cm² Brevundimonas diminuta According to the FDA definition of sterilizing-grade filters

0.45 µm > 10⁷ /cm² Serratia marcescens

0.65 µm > 10⁷ /cm² Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Technical specifications

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Materials

Filter medium	Asymmetric polyethersulfone (PES)
Outer support layer	Polypropylene
Inner support layer	Polypropylene
Outer cage	Polypropylene
Core	Polypropylene
Flat ends	Polypropylene
Fin	Polypropylene
Adapter (222 and 226)	Polypropylene with internal reinforcement
O-rings	Silicone, Viton, Buna, EPDM, PTFE-encapsulated Viton

Dimensions

Nominal filtration area	6,000 cm² per 10″
Nominal length	10″ (254 mm), 20″ (508 mm), 30″ (762 mm), and 40″ (1,016 mm)
Nominal diameter	2.75″ (70 mm)

Operating conditions

Maximum differential pressure	5.5 bar (80 psi) at 25 °C
Maximum differential pressure in reverse flow	0.69 bar (10 psi) at 25 °C
Maximum differential pressure for change-out	2 bar

Sterilization and sanitization

Steam sterilization	Multiple cycles of 30 to 60 minutes at 121 °C, in-line or in an autoclave
Hot water sanitization	Multiple cycles of 30 to 60 minutes with water at 80 °C
Chemical sanitization	Multiple cycles of 30 to 60 minutes with peracetic acid, maximum concentration 1 % (10,000 ppm), at room temperature
Chemical cleaning	Multiple cycles of 30 to 60 minutes with sodium hydroxide, maximum concentration 1 % (10,000 ppm)
Recommendation	Steam, hot water, and sodium hydroxide: only for single-open-end cartridges with internal reinforcement at the 226 / 222 O-ring fitting

Quality and compliance

Materials compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177 for food contact
Complies with European Commission Directive 2002/72/EC and its amendments up to 2008/39/EC
Non-toxic components according to the migration test of the Argentine Food Code and Mercosur SGT3 standards
Manufactured in an ISO 7 cleanroom
Rinsed with purified water after manufacturing to remove extractables
Integrity checked at origin by diffusive flow testing

Applications

Bottled water
Soft drinks
Syrups, colorings, and flavorings
Ingredients
Wines and sparkling wines
Beers

Industries

Food and beverage Wine industry SaniFlow filter housings

Frequently asked questions

What retention does the 0.2 µm rating have?

It retains more than 10⁷ Brevundimonas diminuta per cm², according to the FDA definition of sterilizing-grade filters. The 0.45 µm rating retains more than 10⁷ Serratia marcescens per cm², and the 0.65 µm rating, more than 10⁷ Saccharomyces cerevisiae per cm².

Can it be steam-sterilized and reused?

Yes. It withstands multiple cycles of 30 to 60 minutes with steam at 121 °C, in-line or in an autoclave, and of sanitization with water at 80 °C. The catalog recommends them for single-open-end cartridges (configurations B to E).

Which chemicals can be used for sanitization?

Peracetic acid up to 1 % (10,000 ppm) at room temperature. For cleaning, sodium hydroxide up to 1 %. In both cases, cycles of 30 to 60 minutes.

What differential pressure does it withstand?

Up to 5.5 bar (80 psi) at 25 °C in the forward direction and 0.69 bar (10 psi) at 25 °C in reverse flow. The maximum differential pressure for cartridge change-out is 2 bar.

What sizes and connections are available?

A 2.75″ (70 mm) diameter and lengths of 10″, 20″, 30″, and 40″. It is made with double 226 or 222 O-rings, with a fin or a flat end, or as double open end (DOE).

LifePure line