Introduction to ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular Cartridges
For industries requiring high-purity liquid filtration with ease of operation, ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular Filters represent a significant evolution in depth filtration technology. Designed to bridge the gap between traditional membrane cartridges and plate-and-frame filter presses, these lenticular modules offer high solids loading capacity in a leak-free, easy-to-handle format.
At Purecowater, we recognize the importance of scalable and efficient filtration. As a distributor for top-tier filtration manufacturers, we provide solutions like the ErtelAlsop Pak® to tackle complex sold-liquid separation challenges across pharmaceutical, chemical, and food and beverage sectors.
How Lenticular Technology Works
The term “lenticular” refers to the shape of the filter cells, which resemble a stack of double convex lenses. A Pak® cartridge is assembled from multiple stacked filter cells. Each cell consists of a pair of depth filter sheets (such as MicroMedia®, AlphaMedia®, or MicroClear®) with edges sealed by a patented polypropylene molding process.
This design allows the fluid to flow from the outside of the cartridge, through the media, and into the center core. The result is a totally enclosed system that eliminates the specific leakage and cleaning issues often associated with open plate and frame filters, while maintaining the superior depth filtration characteristics of filter sheets.
Key Product Series and Configurations
ErtelAlsop offers a variety of media compositions to suit specific fluid characteristics, ranging from pharmaceutical-grade purity to industrial oil filtration.
1. Zeta-Pak® (High Efficiency & Retention)
The Zeta-Pak® is the “workhorse” of the lenticular line. Incorporating filter aids like Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and perlite, these cartridges utilize electrokinetic adsorption (zeta potential) to remove ultra-fine particles smaller than the mechanical rating of the media.
- Best For: Biopharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, botanical extracts.
- Action: Removes haze, waxes, and lipids efficiently.
2. Disc-Pak® (100% Cellulose)
Manufactured using AlphaMedia®, the Disc-Pak® is comprised purely of cellulose with no inorganic filter aids. This makes it ideal for applications where maintaining the chemical integrity of the liquid is paramount, such as dielectric oils or certain food products.
- Best For: Dielectric oils, lubricating oils, syrups, fragrances.
- Benefit: No leaching of DE or perlite; ashless.
3. MicroClear® (Activated Carbon)
These modules incorporate pharmaceutical-grade powdered activated carbon immobilized within a fibrous matrix. This format eliminates the mess of handling loose carbon powder.
- Best For: Decolorization, odor removal, API purification.
| Series | Media Composition | Primary Application | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeta-Pak® | Cellulose, DE, Perlite, Resin | Haze removal, Bio-reduction | High Zeta Potential |
| Disc-Pak® | 100% Cellulose | Transformer Oil, Syrups | Clean, Ashless |
| MicroClear® | Immobilized Carbon | Color/Odor Correction | Dust-free Carbon treatment |
| Bio-Pak® | Pharmaceutical Grade | Biologics | Validation Support |
Technical Specifications
The versatility of the Pak® Lenticular Filters lies in their robust construction and wide range of available micron ratings. Below are the general specifications for the product line.
| Nominal Micron Retention | 0.25 to 15 microns |
| Available Diameters | 12" (30.5 cm) and 16" (40.6 cm) |
| Number of Cells | 5 to 18 cells per module (stackable) |
| End Cap Configurations | Flat Gasket or Double O-Ring |
| Core Material | Polypropylene (Standard) |
| Gasket Materials | EPDM, Silicone, Viton, Buna-N |
| Sterilization | Modules can be steam sterilized or hot water sanitized |
Advantages Over Traditional Methods
Compared to Plate and Frame Filters
While plate and frame filters are effective, they are open systems susceptible to dripping and require labor-intensive changeouts. The Pak® Lenticular Cartridge fits inside a sealed housing (vertical or horizontal), offering:
- Zero Leakage: Sealed housing prevents product loss and maintains a clean floor.
- Rapid Changeout: Modules can be replaced in minutes rather than hours.
- Operator Safety: Minimized exposure to process fluids.
Scalability
Process engineers can easily scale up from laboratory trials to full production. ErtelAlsop offers 12″ and 16″ modules that utilize the exact same media grades found in smaller lab discs and large filter sheets.
Applications
Due to the variety of media grades, these filters are used across diverse industries:
- Food & Beverage: Polishing distilled spirits, wine clarification, soft drink syrup filtration.
- Pharmaceuticals: Large volume parenterals (LVP), blood fractionation, antibiotic removal.
- Industrial: Filtration of insulating oil in electric utilities, chemical processing, and wastewater treatment.
- Cosmetics: Perfumes, lotions, and oils.
Looking to implement depth filtration or upgrade your current filtration housings? Purecowater can assist you in selecting the correct ErtelAlsop media and housing configuration for your specific process stream.