For industries requiring high-purity filtration without the mess and exposure of traditional methods, ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular Filters offer a superior solution. As a leading distributor, Purecowater is proud to supply these advanced depth filtration modules, designed to tackle complex solid and liquid separation challenges across pharmaceutical, chemical, food and beverage, and utility sectors.
What are ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular Filters?
The ErtelAlsop Pak® is a depth filter cartridge—often referred to as a lenticular module—that incorporates high-efficiency filter media into a compact, sealed unit. Originally invented by Alsop Engineering, this design revolutionized the industry by providing a totally enclosed alternative to the traditional Plate and Frame filter press.
By stacking varying numbers of lenticular filter cells (typically 12-inch or 16-inch diameters), these cartridges provide a large surface area for filtration in a small footprint. They utilize the same premium depth filter media found in filter sheets but package it in a user-friendly, quick-change format.
Key Advantages
- Sealed Environment: Prevents product exposure to the atmosphere and protects operators from contact with hazardous fluids, ideal for pharmaceutical and chemical applications.
- Rapid Change-Out: Moduar design drastically reduces downtime compared to cleaning and restacking a plate and frame press.
- Scalability: Available in diameters from laboratory scale to production scale, ensuring easy scale-up of filtration processes.
- High Solids Loading: The depth media matrix captures particles throughout the thickness of the pad, not just on the surface.
Technical Specifications
ErtelAlsop Pak® cartridges are versatile and can be configured to fit most lenticular housings on the market. Below are the standard specifications available through Purecowater.
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Diameters Available | 12-inch (30.5 cm) and 16-inch (40.6 cm) |
| Number of Cells | Standard stacks typically range from 5 to 16+ cells |
| Micron Ratings | Nominal retention from 0.25 µm to 15 µm |
| End Cap Configurations | Flat Gasket or Double O-Ring (Code 0) |
| Core Material | Polypropylene (Standard) |
| Gasket Materials | EPDM, Silicone, Viton, Buna-N |
| Maximum Temperature | Dependent on media and gasket selection (typically up to 180°F for standard builds) |
Filter Media Options
The core performance of the Pak® cartridge lies in the media. ErtelAlsop offers several proprietary media formulations to target specific contaminants, readily available for your application.
1. Zeta-Pak® (The Workhorse)
The Zeta-Pak® is the most common configuration, incorporating Micro-Media®. This formulation combines cellulose, perlite (or diatomaceous earth), and a wet-strength resin. It provides a positive Zeta Potential, which electrokinetically attracts negatively charged contaminants like bacteria and haze-forming colloids, ensuring sub-micron retention efficiency.
2. MicroClear® (Activated Carbon)
These modules are impregnated with activated carbon, allowing for the adsorption of color, odor, and taste without the mess of handling loose carbon powder. Ideal for de-colorization in pharmaceutical and botanical extraction processes.
3. AquaKv-Pak® (Utility & Transformer Oil)
Specifically designed for the electric utility industry, the AquaKv-Pak® excels at removing moisture and particulate matter from insulating oils (dielectric fluids). This restores the dielectric strength of transformer oils efficiently.
4. AlphaMedia® (Pure Cellulose)
A mineral-free option made of 100% cellulose is available for applications where mineral extractables (like those from DE) are not permissible.
Common Applications
The versatility of the Pak® Lenticular Filter makes it a staple in liquids processing industries.
| Industry | Typical Usage |
|---|---|
| Food & Beverage | Haze removal in distilled spirits, wine polishing, syrup clarification. |
| Pharmaceuticals | API filtration, catalyst removal, decolorization using carbon modules. |
| Botanical Extracts | Lipid and wax removal (winterization) in ethanol extracts. |
| Chemicals | Polymer filtration, silicone production, solvent clarification. |
| Cosmetics | Ensuring clarity and purity in lotions, perfumes, and essential oils. |
Why Partner with Purecowater?
At Purecowater, we understand that filtration is critical to your product quality. As a distributor and OEM for top-tier filtration brands, we help you select the exact housing and cartridge configuration needed for your flow rate and retention requirements. Whether you are retrofitting an existing system or sizing a new production line, our expertise ensures you get the most efficient solution.
Ready to optimize your filtration process? Contact our team today for sizing, pricing, and technical support.