FUNDAWAVE® Crossflow Filtration
Tangential crossflow filtration in a new design
The FUNDAWAVE®
The FUNDAWAVE® is a new filtration concept which targets applications that so far could not give satisfactory results with any type solid/liquid separation equipment. The equipment is based on the crossflow principle with membrane-based filtering media adapted to specific filtration duties. The flow rate is maintained by constantly removing the solids layer forming on the membrane. In contrast to standard tangential flow filtration equipment (TFF) the crossflow is accomplished by movement of the filter membrane across a stationary liquid.
The FUNDAWAVE® is an industrial crossflow filtration solution specifically targeted for applications where flux rates, capital investments, gentle filtration conditions, energy consumption and sanitary design play an important role. It continuously delivers low fouling filtration by keeping the media clean by vibrating shear forces.
The filtering membranes are arranged in modules which vibrate vertically while keeping the liquid feed stationary. The relative velocity changes direction many times per second and creates turbulence on the membrane surface, thereby minimising the fouling layer. The vibrating mass is reduced to a minimum which also minimises the required energy input. The resulting heat input is significantly lowered and even for temperature sensitive products cooling may not be required.
The FUNDAWAVE® handles the feed solution very gently as no large circulation pump is needed. A conventional circulation pump can damage cells, molecules or other sensitive substances during operation and by eliminating the circulation pump the FUNDAWAVE® is the most product gentle industrial scale MF and UF system available. Additionally, the elimination of the circulation pump produces uniform trans-membrane pressures throughout the unit and results in the sharpest membrane cut-offs of any industrial system.
Form more in depth information and data sheet please download our brochure here.
Comparison of Filtration Processes
Dead End Filtration Process
The FUNDABAC® Filter is based on dead end filtration where the feed liquid is pressed through a stationary filter media which retains the solids and lets the liquid pass. The solids accumulate on the filter media and form a cake which is removed intermittently. Although normally an automatic operation, by design this type of filter is a batch equipment which runs in cyclic mode performing a set of sequence steps. The main advantage is its ability to process the cake with add on steps such as washing, extraction, steaming and drying. Additionally, its heel volume filtration assures minimum product loss.
TFF Process
Crossflow filtration, or also called tangential flow filtration (TFF) works with a principle similar to the FUNDAWAVE®. The bulk of the feed passes tangentially across a stationary filtering media at high speeds. The retentate recycles to the feed pump while constantly removing the filtering layer in the process. At the same time a pressure build up is used to press a small part of the liquid through the membrane. The main difference is the fact that the TFF filter itself is stationary while the liquid needs to be pumped at high volumes to create the necessary tangential velocities. This results in a high energy consumption. Additionally, the resulting solids concentrations in the retentate is usually limited by its pumpability.
FUNDAWAVE® vs. FUNDABAC®
For substances which are difficult to filter, the achievable flux rate is the decisive factor leading to a successful implementation of a filtration equipment. In a FUNDABAC® Candle Filter with typical cycle times of 30-120 min., the long cake build-up time can cause diminishing flux rates due to the cake resistance.
The CONTIBAC® Candle Filter is an improvement to this shortcoming, as the cake build up time is reduced and the filtration cycles shorter. It can run at 5-10 cycles per hour, which increases the overall flux rate.
The FUNDAWAVE® goes one step further where the actual filtration cycles are reduced to a period many times shorter than a CONTIBAC®. As a matter of fact we are talking about cycles at a fraction of a second. In other words the cake is being removed many times per second. These extremely short cycles open up completely new possibilities. It allows filtration of solids which, under normal circumstances would very quickly block the filtering media once a cake layer is formed. The required pressure drops are factors lower than in a dead end filtration. This prevents build up of solid cakes which are difficult to remove. As there is essentially no cake being formed the filtering elements can be packed very closely which reduces module size and liquid hold up.
Key Advantages
- Ideal Separation: The FUNDAWAVE® improves separation due to a sharper cut-off. Eliminating the cross flow pump leads to a system with no pressure loss.
- Unique Microfiltration: The FUNDAWAVE® ensures the ability to run efficient microfiltration at extremely low pressure in the entire system (e.g. 0.1 bar).
- Less Energy: The FUNDAWAVE® reduces the energy consumption by 50-90%.
- High Concentration, Viscosity and Solid Load.
- Better Product Quality: The FUNDAWAVE® handles the product very gently as the elimination of the cross flow pump eliminates the pump shear.
- Higher Yield: The modules are fully drainable of both permeate and retentate which means that all product can be recovered.
- Sanitary: The FUNDAWAVE® sets a new sanitary standard with the open and clean design of the modules with no spacers and no flow dead areas.
Typical Applications
FUNDAWAVE® 0035 Lab Filter
| Filter Area | 0.0035 m2 |
| Housing PP max. | 85ºC, 3 barg |
| Membrane | 1 kDa – 10μm; full range as for industrial size |
| Oscillation Drive | Pneumatic |
| Oscillation Frequency | 20 Hz |
FUNDAWAVE® 3500 Pilot Filter
| Filter Area | 0.35 m2 |
| Housing PVC max. | 55ºC, 3 barg |
| Filter Elements | Polypropylene |
| Membrane | Full range as for industrial size |
| Motor | 230 VAC / 40 W |
| Oscillation Frequency | 20 Hz |
FUNDAWAVE® Industrial Filter
| Filter Area | 2.5 m2 per module |
| Housing PP max. | 35ºC, 4 barg 55ºC, 3 barg 80ºC, 1 barg |
| Oscillation Frequency | 20 Hz |
| With 3 Modules | 7.5 m2 400 VAC 0.44 kW |
| With 4 Modules | 10 m2 400 VAC 0.44 kW |
| With 6 Modules | 15 m2 400 VAC 0.74 kW |
| With 8 Modules | 20 m2 400 VAC 0.74 kW |
Available Membranes
| Available Membranes | Application | Material |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kDa | UF | PES |
| 3 kDa | UF | PES |
| 5 kDa | UF | PES |
| 5 kDa | UF | PESH |
| 10 kDa | UF | PS |
| 10 kDa | UF | CA |
| 10 kDa | UF | PES |
| 30 kDa | UF | PES |
| 30 kDa | UF | PESH |
| 100 kDa | UF | PES |
| 100 kDa | UF | PVDF |
| 300 kDa | UF | PES |
| 400 kDa | UF | PAN |
| 500 kDa | UF/MF | PVDF |
| 800kD/ 0.08 micron | UF/MF | PVDF |
| 0.2 micron | MF | PVDF / PP |
| 0.2 micron | MF | PVDF / PE |
| 0.45 micron | MF | PTFE_HF |
| 1 micron | MF/filter | PET, woven |
| 5 micron | MF/filter | PET, woven |
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