Description

The Armfield FT18-MkII is a pilot-scale cross-flow filtration system designed to operate with a range of membrane module configurations. It can operate with minimal material but still give data that is useful for process scale-up.

Use the full range of cross-flow filtration applications from microfiltration through to reverse osmosis. The perfect tool to use, following on from flat sheet membrane trials with the FT17, for further process development and scale-up.

The system uses a high-pressure piston-recirculation pump to circulate product through the filter module of choice. The variable speed triple-piston design combined with high-pressure flexibles minimises pressure pulsation. The operator can use their own feed vessel or this can be specified (FT18-20 option). The speed of the recirculation pump can be adjusted to suit the particular filtration module and the product.

A level sensor mounted on the pump inlet protects the pump from running dry.

The retentate back-pressure valve enables pressures up to 50 bar to be achieved. A relief valve protects against overpressure.

There is a permeate back-pressure valve so that accurate transmembrane pressures (TMP) can be set. Pressure sensors are sited on the retentate side on the inlet and outlet of the filter module, as well as on the permeate side. Any temperature gain in the retentate through recirculation at high pressure is removed using a 316 stainless steel shell and tube heat exchanger, which has corrugated tubes for improved heat transfer.

The transmembrane pressure can be finely controlled with independent back pressure valves. This reduces the fouling on the membrane when operating at higher pressures, extending the lifetime of the membrane.

Software

The armSOFT software displays the equipment flow diagram with readings displayed for all sensors.

Cross-flow velocity, transmembrane pressure and flux are also displayed. There are also controls for feed pump stop/start and speed.

A data tab offers several options for processing and displaying the data from the equipment in the form of graphs and results tables.

Results are saved in a log that can be viewed and manipulated with the armSOFT Results Viewer or they can be exported in a generic spreadsheet format for further analysis.

Features & Benefits

• Ability to assess the important cross-flow filtration module types on a single system
• Electronic instrumented option (-50) to allow the effect of process variables on filtration performance to be measured and logged
• Assessment of the effect of backpulsing on extending the time between CIP steps
• Reduced processing volume enables development with minimal product
• Simple cleaning and maintenance protocols
• Four membrane module options:

– Ceramic (FT18-5)

– Spiral wound (FT18-6)

– Hollow fibre (FT18-7)

– Tubular (FT18-8)

• Capable of microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis operations
• Maximum filtration pressure of 50 bar (module dependant)
• Clean-in-place capability (CIP)
• Backpulsing option (suitable for FT18-5 and FT18-7)
• Variable retentate flow rate in order to change filtration cross-flow velocity
• Retentate and permeate back pressure valves
• Pressure sensors on the retentate inlet and outlet of the filtration module and on the permeate line
• Mass balance option for permeate flow rate measurement
• All parameters can be data logged

Applications

Food

Dairy: Removal of micro-organisms from milk and cheese brines, milk protein standardisation and concentration, whey demineralisation, whey protein fractionation, defatting of whey proteins, and filtration

Fermented foods: Clarification of wine, beer and vinegar, removal of alcohol from wine and beer, post-fermentation yeast recovery, wine lifting

Fruit juices: Clarification and concentration

Water

Water and waste water purification, desalination, water softening

Pharma

Concentration and purification of macromolecules, sterile filtration, viral clearance, cell separation, water purification

Edible oils

Degumming of vegetable oils

Requirements

Electrical supply:

FT18-MkII-C: 380-415V/3ph/50Hz/10A

FT18-MkII-D: 208-220V/3ph/60Hz/20A

Water supply:

Towns water 10 l/min at 2 bar or equivalent flow recirculation chiller for lower temperatures

Air supply:

6 bar with minimal air consumption (required for FT18-50 option only)

Technical Specifications

Maximum flow rate: 1400 l/hr

Maximum operating pressure: 50 bar (See filter module options)

Pressure sensors: 0-60 bar

Mass balance range: 0-6kg

Minimum test volume without FT18-20: 15L

Dimensions

Length: 0.72m

Width: 1.00m

Height: 1.50m