At Purecowater, we specialize in providing advanced filtration solutions for complex industrial challenges. As a distributor and OEM for top-tier manufacturers, we are proud to offer ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular Filters. These depth filter modules represent a significant evolution in liquid filtration technology, offering the efficiency of plate and frame filtration in a convenient, enclosed cartridge format.
What are Lenticular Pak® Cartridges?
ErtelAlsop Pak® depth filter cartridges—often referred to as lenticular filter modules—are designed to act as a scalable solution for efficiently removing particles and correcting haze in liquids. The unique "lenticular" design consists of a stack of double convex filter cells. Each cell works like a lens, composed of two sheets of depth filter media sealed around a polypropylene core.
This configuration maximizes surface area within a compact footprint, allowing for high solids loading capacity and rapid flow rates. Unlike traditional filter presses which can leak and require labor-intensive changeouts, the Pak® system is totally enclosed, ensuring a clean, sanitary, and operator-friendly process.
Key Features
- Precision Construction: Manufactured in 12-inch (30.5 cm) and 16-inch (40.6 cm) diameters.
- Scalable configurations: Modules typically contain between 5 to 18 stacked cells to match specific surface area requirements.
- Patented Sealing: Edges are sealed using a patented polypropylene process to prevent bypass and ensure structural integrity.
- Versatile Media Options: Available with pharmaceutical-grade materials, water removal capabilities, and varying media compositions.
Media Technologies and Variants
One of the primary strengths of the ErtelAlsop line is the diversity of available media, allowing operators to tailor the filtration mechanism to the specific fluid chemistry.
| Product Series | Media Composition | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|
| Zeta-Pak® | Cellulose & Diatomaceous Earth (DE) / Perlite | The “workhorse” of the line. Provides high zeta potential for electrokinetic adsorption of haze and fine particles. Excellent for botanicals and oils. |
| Disc-Pak® | 100% Cellulose (AlphaMedia®) | Ideal for dielectric oils, syrups, and applications where inorganic release (DE) is unwanted. |
| MicroClear® | Immobilized Activated Carbon | Designed for decolorization, odor removal, and flavor correction without the mess of loose carbon powder. |
Sources: ertelalsop.com, clearsolutionscorp.com
Technical Specifications
ErtelAlsop Pak® modules are engineered to fit virtually any standard filter housing, provided the correct endcap configuration is selected. Below are the general specifications for the Pak® product line.
- Diameters Available: 12" and 16"
- Micron Ratings (Nominal): 0.25 µm to 15 µm
- End Cap Configurations: Flat Gasket or Double O-Ring (Code 3, Code 8 styles)
- Core Material: Polypropylene (Standard)
- Gasket Material: EPDM (Standard), others available upon request
- Sterilization: Compatible with steam sterilization (autoclavable designs available)
Why Switch to Lenticular Filtration?
1. Leak-Free Operation
Traditional plate and frame filters are notorious for edge leakage. The Pak® lenticular cartridges utilize a double O-ring or flat gasket seal within a fully enclosed housing. This ensures zero product loss, which is critical for high-value fluids like pharmaceutical actives, distilled spirits, and botanical extracts.
2. Rapid Changeouts
Swapping out filter media on a plate and frame press can take hours. With the ErtelAlsop housing designs—particularly those featuring the “Lock and Load” system—cartridges can be changed in minutes. This drastically reduces downtime and labor costs.
3. Superior Particle Retention
By combining mechanical sieving with the electrokinetic adsorption (Zeta Potential) of depth media, these filters can retain particles far smaller than their nominal rating. This is particularly effective for removing haze-forming colloids and lipids in food and beverage processing.
Common Applications
These filters are trusted globally across various industries:
- Botanical Extracts: Removal of waxes, lipids, and biomass to clarify oils and tinctures (clearsolutionscorp.com).
- Food & Beverage: Polishing filtration for syrups, spirits, wines, and juices.
- Pharmaceuticals: Clarification of cell cultures and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
- Industrial Oils: Filtration of dielectric oils, lubricating oils, and coolants using cellulose-only media (clearsolutionscorp.com).
- Cosmetics: Purification of fragrances and lotions.
Contact Purecowater
Whether you need to upgrade your current filtration skid or locate a specific replacement module, Purecowater is here to help you navigate the options. We can assist in sizing the correct housing and selecting the optimal media grade for your process.