ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular Filters: Comprehensive Product Guide

Introduction to ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular Filters

In the world of industrial liquid filtration, efficiency and seal integrity are paramount. ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular Filters, also known as depth lenticular filter modules, represent a significant evolution from traditional plate and frame filtration methods. Purecowater supplies these advanced filtration solutions to help industries aim for zero-leakage, high-throughput, and superior particle retention.

The Pak® cartridge system is designed to provide the high solids loading capacity of depth filtration media within a totally enclosed, operator-friendly housing. This design eliminates the edge leakage often associated with plate and frame presses and significantly reduces the time required for change-outs.

How Lenticular Filtration Works

A “lenticular” filter module resembles a stack of double convex lenses. Each module consists of individual filter cells—typically ranging from 5 to 18 cells per stack—assembled using a patented process. The edges of the filter media pairs are sealed (often with polypropylene) to prevent bypass.

Fluid enters the housing and passes through the depth media, which traps particulates within its complex fiber matrix. The filtrate then flows to the center core and out of the assembly. This structure allows for scale-up from laboratory testing to full-scale production using the same media formulations.

Key Fact: The lenticular format was originally invented by Alsop Engineering in the 1940s. Today, ErtelAlsop continues to innovate this technology, offering seamless translation of process specifications from plate and frame filters to the Pak® cartridge format. [ertelalsop.com]

Key Features and Benefits

1. Totally Enclosed System

Unlike open plate and frame systems, lenticular modules operate inside a sealed housing. This is crucial for applications involving:

• Expensive or hazardous fluids.
• Volatile liquids (preventing evaporation).
• Strict sanitary requirements (Pharmaceuticals and Food & Beverage).

2. Rapid Change-Out

Traditional filter presses can take hours to dress and clean. In contrast, a Pak® lenticular cartridge can be changed in minutes. The modular design means operators simply remove the spent stack and slide in a new one, drastically reducing downtime.

3. Versatile Media Options

The Pak® cartridges utilize ErtelAlsop’s renowned depth filter media, including:

• MicroMedia® & AlphaMedia®: Cellulose and perlite/DE blends for high-efficiency particle retention (0.25 to 15 microns).
• MicroClear®: Immobilized activated carbon for adsorption applications (color, odor, and flavor correction).
• Bio-Pak®: Pharmaceutical-grade modules often featuring double O-ring seals and polypropylene cores for maximum integrity.

Technical Specifications

ErtelAlsop Pak® cartridges are available in standard industry sizes to fit virtually any housing. Below is a breakdown of the typical specifications available through Purecowater.

Specification	Details
Diameter	12 inch (30.5 cm) & 16 inch (40.6 cm)
Micron Ratings (Nominal)	0.25 µm – 15 µm
End Cap Configurations	Flat Gasket, Double O-Ring (plug-in style)
Core Material	Polypropylene or Stainless Steel
Gasket Material	EPDM, Silicone, Viton, Buna-N
Surface Area	High surface area due to stacked cell design (up to 18 cells)

Industries and Applications

Due to their versatility and high solids loading capacity, these filters are used across a wide spectrum of industries:

• Pharmaceuticals & Biotech: Clarification of cell cultures, removal of protein precipitates, and protecting downstream membrane filters. The Bio-Pak® with Double O-Ring seals is ideal here for ensuring seal integrity without stainless steel contact. [ertelalsop.com]
• Distilled Spirits & Wine: Haze removal and polishing filtration (chill haze, charcoal removal) ensuring clarity without stripping desirable flavors.
• Botanical Extracts: Media containing Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is particularly effective for removing waxes and lipids from extracts while maintaining high flow rates. [store.clearsolutionscorp.com]
• Chemicals & Cosmetics: Filtration of viscous fluids, perfumes, and oils where leakage would be messy or costly.
• Electric Utilities: Insulating oil reconditioning (removal of carbon and moisture).

Zeta-Pak®: The Workhorse of Depth Filtration

One of the most popular configurations is the Zeta-Pak®. It incorporates positive zeta potential into the media, which helps attract and hold negatively charged contaminants (like bacteria and endotoxins) that are smaller than the physical pore size of the media. This electrokinetic adsorption combined with mechanical sieving makes it a powerful tool for sub-micron filtration applications.

Conclusion

The ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular system offers a robust, scalable, and leak-free alternative to traditional filtration methods. Whether you are clarifying botanical extracts, polishing distilled spirits, or ensuring pharmaceutical purity, these modules provide the reliability required for critical process streams.

Purecowater is equipped to help you select the precise media grade, micron rating, and housing configuration for your facility’s needs.