Membrane cartridges

LifePure Protec

Dual-membrane PES cartridge

Dual-layer filtration for processes with a high contaminant load

Dual-layer asymmetric PES membrane filter cartridge with an integrated prefilter, from 0.1 to 0.65 µm, for fluids with a high particle load or bioburden.

Line: LifePure · Polyethersulfone (PES)
Pore sizes: 0.1 + 0.4 µm to 0.65 + 1.2 µm
Lengths: 10″ · 20″ · 30″ · 40″
Manufacturing: Argentina · ISO 7 cleanroom

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LifePure Protec, dual-membrane PES cartridge by Exova

Description

The LifePure Protec is a filter cartridge with a double layer of asymmetric polyethersulfone (PES) membrane. A first, open-pore prefilter layer retains the larger contaminants and protects the final layer, which defines the filtration rating of the cartridge.

This construction increases particle retention capacity, extends the service life of the element, and reduces replacement frequency in processes with high bioburden, suspended solids, or variable inlet quality. There are four ratings, from 0.1 to 0.65 µm, each with its prefilter layer, and 6,500 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. Its mechanical and chemical resistance allows the cartridge to be reused.

Dual layer with integrated prefilter

The open-pore prefilter layer protects the final layer: more particle retention and fewer replacements.

Four ratings, from 0.1 to 0.65 µm

0.1 + 0.4 · 0.2 + 0.6 · 0.45 + 0.8 · 0.65 + 1.2 µm. The first figure is the final layer, which defines the rating.

Sterilizing retention at 0.1 and 0.2 µm

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

Acholeplasma laidlawii retention

The 0.1 µm rating retains 10⁴ Acholeplasma laidlawii per cm².

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 %.

Microbial retention

Values stated in the LifePure Protec catalog.

0.1 µm 10⁴ /cm² Acholeplasma laidlawii

0.1 µm and 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, final layer	Polyethersulfone (PES)
Filter medium, prefilter layer	Polyethersulfone (PES)
Outer 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-coated Viton

Dimensions

Nominal filtration area	6,500 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
Manufactured in an ISO 7 cleanroom

Selection data

Available ratings
Rating	Final layer + prefilter layer
0.1 µm	0.1 µm + 0.4 µm
0.2 µm	0.2 µm + 0.6 µm
0.45 µm	0.45 µm + 0.8 µm
0.65 µm	0.65 µm + 1.2 µm

The final layer defines the filtration rating; the prefilter layer, with a more open pore, retains the larger contaminants and protects it.

Applications

Heavy-load prefiltration ahead of sterilizing filters
Solutions with a high particle or bioburden content
Cell culture media
Sera and blood products
Biological products
Parenteral and veterinary pharmaceutical solutions
Process water treatment
Bioburden reduction and yeast retention

Industries

Pharmaceutical and biotech Water treatment SaniFlow filter housings

Frequently asked questions

What is the double layer for?

The open-pore prefilter layer retains the larger contaminants and protects the final layer, which defines the rating. This increases particle retention capacity, extends service life, and reduces replacement frequency.

What pore combinations are available?

Four, expressed as final layer + prefilter layer: 0.1 + 0.4 µm, 0.2 + 0.6 µm, 0.45 + 0.8 µm, and 0.65 + 1.2 µm.

Can it be used as a prefilter for a sterilizing filter?

Yes. The catalog specifies it for heavy-load prefiltration ahead of sterilizing filters and for solutions with a high particle or bioburden content.

Can it be steam-sterilized?

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

LifePure line