ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular Filters: The Ultimate Depth Filtration Solution

Enhance Your Liquid Filtration with ErtelAlsop Pak® Technology

At Purecowater, we understand that achieving superior filtrate quality while maintaining operational efficiency is critical for liquid processing industries. Whether you are dealing with pharmaceuticals, distilled spirits, or industrial chemicals, the ErtelAlsop Pak® Lenticular Filter represents the gold standard in depth filtration technology.

As a trusted distributor and OEM, Purecowater provides these advanced lenticular modules to help you tackle complex solid and liquid filtration problems. This guide explores the capabilities, specifications, and applications of the ErtelAlsop Pak® series.

What is a Lenticular Filter?

Lenticular filtration technology, originally invented by Alsop Engineering (now ErtelAlsop) in the 1940s, bridges the gap between traditional sheet filtration and cartridge filtration. A Pak® cartridge is assembled from varying numbers of depth filter cells stacked vertically.

Each cell consists of a pair of depth filter sheets (media) sealed at the edges using a patented polypropylene molding process. The result is a self-contained module that resembles a stack of double convex lenses (hence “lenticular”). This design offers the high solids-loading capacity of a plate and frame filter press but within a totally enclosed, leak-free housing.

Key Advantages over Plate & Frame Filters

• Enclosed System: Prevents exposure to the environment and product loss due to leakage.
• Rapid Changeout: Modules can be replaced in minutes rather than the hours required to dress a filter press.
• Scalability: Available in 12-inch and 16-inch diameters with various cell counts to scale from pilot to production.
• Sanitary Design: Ideal for critical applications in food, beverage, and pharma.

Media Formulations: The Core of the Pak®

The versatility of the ErtelAlsop Pak® lies in the variety of filter media available. Depending on your specific fluid characteristics, you can select from the following configurations:

Media Brand	Composition	Primary Function	Ideal Applications
Zeta-Pak®	Cellulose, Diatomaceous Earth (DE), Perlite, Wet Strength Resins	High efficiency with positive Zeta Potential for removing sub-micron particles and haze.	Biopharmaceuticals, Distilled Spirits, Chemical Processing, Hazes.
AlphaMedia™	100% Cellulose	High purity filtration without inorganic filter aids. Zero mineral migration.	Dielectric Oils, Transformer Oils, Fragrances, Colloidal Silica.
MicroClear®	Cellulose impregnated with Activated Carbon	Adsorptive filtration for color, odor, and flavor correction.	Vodka Polishing, Decolorization, API Purification.

Technical Specifications

Understanding the compatibility of the Pak® station with your existing housing is crucial. ErtelAlsop modules are designed to fit industry-standard housings.

• Micron Ratings: Nominal retention ranging from 0.25 micron up to 15 micron.
• Diameters: 12 inch (30.5 cm) and 16 inch (40.6 cm).
• End Cap Configurations:
  • Flat Gasket: Standard for many industrial housings.
  • Double O-Ring: Provides a positive seal for critical sanitary applications.
• Core Material: Polypropylene (standard) for robust chemical compatibility.
• Gasket Materials: EPDM, Buna-N, Silicone, Viton, and more.

Common Applications

The ErtelAlsop Pak® is a workhorse across multiple sectors. Below is a breakdown of where these filters excel:

1. Food & Beverage

Used extensively for the clarification and polishing of wines, spirits, syrups, and juices. The Zeta-Pak® is particularly effective at removing haze-causing proteins and yeast without stripping flavor.

2. Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology

Critical for cell harvesting, broth clarification, and the removal of carbon fines. The pharmaceutical-grade options ensure low extractables and high purity.

3. Botanical Extraction

A rapidly growing application, lenticular filters are used to remove waxes, lipids, and fine particulates from ethanol or CO2 botanical extracts, ensuring a clear, high-value oil.

4. Industrial Utilities

AlphaMedia™ modules are the industry standard for filtering dielectric oils in the electric utility sector, restoring insulating properties by removing particulate contaminants and moisture.

Why Partner with Purecowater?

At Purecowater, we do not just sell products; we engineer solutions. Whether you need to retrofit an existing housing with high-efficiency ErtelAlsop Pak® modules or require a complete skid-mounted filtration system, our team is ready to assist.

Are you experiencing short cycle times or breakthrough in your current filtration process? Let us help you select the correct depth filter media to optimize your throughput.