Contained Liquid Filter
The FUNDASHIELD addresses containment issues during the change of cartridges
The FUNDABAC® Filter excels where large quantities of solids are involved. The filter is an enclosed equipment where the operator and the environment is protected from the process liquids. However, when it concerns smaller batches operators may be looking for alternatives with manual operation and batch-wise replacement of elements. Cartridge type filters usually fall into this category. However, they pose a containment risk when the housing is opened and the cartridges replaced.
The FUNDASHIELD fills this gap and addresses containment issues during the change of cartridges. The filter elements are enclosed in a plastic bag and isolated from the environment. For installation the complete bag is placed within the pressure housing. However, the process fluid is not in contact with the housing. Instead, the bag is directly connected to the process piping and only the filter internals are exposed. When the housing is reopened for replacement of the bag, the operator does not get in contact with any potentially hazardous fluids.
However, this is only half of the story. The FUNDASHIELD can do more than just emulate a cartridge filter. The elements are back-washable and allow cyclic operation to prolong the lifetime significantly. The filter comes in two variations:
FUNDASHIELD FR
After back-washing, the solids settle within the bag and accumulate in the bottom. After a number of back-flush cycles the bag gets filled and eventually needs replacement.
FUNDASHIELD FC
The back-washed solids are flushed out of the bag through a bottom opening where they can be disposed of separately. This operation extends the lifetime of the bag even further.
The bags are fabricated from a laminated composite. The material in contact with the fluid is polyethylene while the outer layer is a mechanically stable PA film. It survives hundreds of cyclic operations without harm.
During filtration, the suspension flows into the filter bag and is filtered through the filter membranes. The solid particles form the filter cake while the filtrate is extracted through a manifold.
After the cake has grown to its maximum size, compressed air is conducted into the pressure vessel, which squeezes the bag onto the filter elements. This ensures filtration of the remaining liquid heel.
During filtration, the suspension flows into the filter bag and is filtered through the filter membranes. The solid particles form the filter cake while the filtrate is extracted through a manifold.
After the cake has grown to its maximum size, compressed air is conducted into the pressure vessel, which squeezes the bag onto the filter elements. This ensures filtration of the remaining liquid heel.
We also have Single-Use Filter executions of these type of filters specifically for the pharma and biotech industry. Click here to see more.