Sterilizing-grade gas filters protect biopharmaceutical products from contamination by microorganisms or particles during processes such as gas venting from tanks or bioreactors, compressed gas filtration and high-temperature or highly oxidizing applications. Non-sterilizing-grade filters reduce bioburden for non-critical applications or act as prefilters protecting a sterilizing-grade filter downstream.
Brand
Poly-Fine®
Filter Media
Polypropylene
Pall® Gas Filter Comparisons
Family/Grade |
Emflon II |
Emflon PFR |
Emflon HTPFR |
HDCII |
Emflon PFA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membrane part number reference | V002 |
PFR |
HTPFR |
J |
PFA |
Membrane material
|
Polyvinyl fluoride (PVDF) |
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) |
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) |
Polypropylene (PP) |
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) |
Support and drainage layer/ core/cage/endcap material |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
Polypropylene |
Gamma Sterilizable? |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Steam and Autoclave Sterilizable? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Pore size (µm) |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
1.2 – 10 |
0.2 |
Suitability for highly oxidative environments |
Good |
Very Good |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
Suitability for high temperature environments |
Good |
Very Good |
Excellent |
Good |
Good |
For sterilizing-grade gas filtration in single-use systems
Emflon® II PVDF sterilizing-grade membrane gas filters are used in single-use systems and are validated for gamma irradiation. Emflon II filter capsules can be supplied either pre-sterilized by gamma irradiation or non-sterilized for sterilization by gamma irradiation/autoclave by the end user.
For sterilizing-grade gas filtration in stainless steel systems
Emflon® PFR PTFE sterilizing-grade membrane filter cartridges and capsules are used in nitrogen blanketing or compressed gas applications for stainless steel bioreactors and filling operations. The hydrophobic and chemically inert filter membranes meet the FDA requirements for microbial removal to qualify as sterilizing-grade. These filters have high strength and long life under 60°C.
For high-temperature, ozonated-water venting and oxygen-enriched applications
Emflon® HTPFR PTFE sterilizing-grade membrane filter cartridges are specially designed for gas filtration in highly oxidizing applications such as oxygen enrichment of bioreactors, or process steps with temperatures above 60 °C, such as autoclaves, fermentation inlet air, aseptic packaging/ blow-fill-seal and WFI tank vents. The Emflon HTPFR cartridges have an oxidation-resistant structure that has been validated for extended use at elevated temperatures or in highly oxidizing applications.
Prefilter
HDC® II PP filters are used for prefiltration to protect sterilizing-grade filters. They can also be used in fine particle applications where purity, reliability, and economy are critical. All-polypropylene filter capsules and cartridges incorporate proprietary HDC II tapered pore polypropylene depth media and are available in a range of different formats.
Bioburden
Emflon® PFA PTFE filters can be used in bioburden applications where a sterilizing-grade filter isn’t required. These gas filter cartridges offer the highest levels of bioburden reduction, and high flow rates combined with a high filter area per 254 mm (10 in.) cartridge.
Application |
Recommended Filter |
Sterilizing-grade for single-use systems |
Emflon® II |
Sterilizing-grade for stainless steel systems |
Emflon® PFR |
Sterilizing-grade for high-temperature, ozonated-water venting, and oxygen enriched applications |
Emflon® HTPFR |
Prefilter for protection of sterilizing-grade gas filters |
HDC® II |
Bioburden reduction for high flow applications |
Emflon® PFA |
Need more help choosing the right filter?
Our Scientific and Laboratory Services (SLS) team have been helping our customers optimize their processes for more than 50 years. Together with our wide range of filter membranes, we can find the right filtration solution or help to optimize your sterile filtration process.
Contact us via the web form at the bottom of this page to request a consultation with one of our sterile filtration specialists to discuss your process and offer free support to help you get it right.
