Polymeric Membrane Morphology
Microza* ultrafiltration membranes are unique in their construction. Every membrane has an asymmetric structure,with a membrane layer both on the inside, and on the outside of the fiber, overlaying a core comprising a very open support for excellent flow characteristics, and a central strengthening layer for outstanding fiber durability in long-term service. Microza ultrafiltration membranes are resistant to flow in both directions, so there is no risk of delamination or membrane rupture during accidental back-pressure. In fact, in many installations, backpulsing can be used to maintain flux during extended run times.
Microza micofiltration membranes have smooth inner and outer membrane skins with a highly porous symmetrical support structure giving high-flow rates. These modules can also be backflushed. All Microza membranes have surfaces that minimize entrapment and facilitate cleaning. All Microza membranes are manufactured in a single step, and are not composed of laminates. Membranes and modules are subjected to rigorous quality control to ensure consistency of performance, durability in service, and module integrity for the most demanding applications.
Membrane Types
Polysulfone (PS)
Polysulfone membranes exhibit excellent resistance to pressure, temperature and aggressive cleaning regimes. Very low affinity and adsorption characteristics results in high product recoveries, and long service life.
Polyacylonitrile (PAN)
PAN membranes are ideally suited to bulk process applications, such as the purification of enzymes. They exhibit high-strength, coupled with high flux rates, minimizing installation size. PAN has a low fouling characteristic for these applications, simplifying cleaning.
Polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF)
PVDF membranes are widely used for the filtration of biological solutions. In hollow fiber format, these membranes show excellent retention characteristics, allowing use in critical applications where absolute removal over long periods is required. Lower non-specific binding than many PS membranes used in protein recovery applications ensures excellent results in leading-edge biotechnology processes. PVDF membranes are steamable in situ for additional process security. PVDF exhibits superior chemical resistance to many other polymers used in microfiltration processes.
Polyolefin (P)
Polyolefin membranes are a good choice for bulk clarification processes where sterility is not essential. Nevertheless, P-membranes have good retention characteristics coupled with high flux rates. Availability in fine microfiltration retention ratings ensures protection of downstream processing equipment.
* Microza is a trademark of Asahi Kasei Corporation
Microza Module Types
Microza hollow fiber modules are available with housings made from polysulfone (native, clear), filled polysulfone (white, opaque), and polyvinylchloride (PVC). Polysulfone modules will withstand autoclaving and in some cases steaming. Clear polysulfone modules are recommended for more critical pharmaceutical applications. Filled polysulfone and PVC modules are ideally suited to long term installations where light might cause biofilm to form, or for bulk processes involving light sensitive materials. PVC modules are idea for use in feed water systems and bulk processes.
Microza modules are available with industry standard clamp fittings on the feed and retentate side, and some with quick connects. All steamable modules designed for long term use in critical applications such as perfusion have sanitary clamp connections on the feed/retentate and filtrate sides, or filtrate hose barbs on laboratory scale modules.
Retrofitting Existing Applications
To retrofit an existing application,membrane rating should be chosen to be equivalent or superior in performance. For ultrafiltration membranes, this may require testing more than a single cut-off. Differences in membrane area and lumen diameter can typically be accommodated by adjustments to operating conditions to ensure that trans-membrane pressure and fluid velocity conditions at the membrane surface are similar. Hollow fiber modules can be joined end-to-end as required to create similar path length systems. Small adjustments to physical dimensions, and differences in connection type are accomplished using adapters. Please contact Pall for assistance with selecting the right modules to retrofit an existing installation.
The following pages list modules firstly by membrane material, and then within each material by rating, available sizes and available connection types.
| Part No. |
Rating (MWCO, Daltons) |
Fiber ID/OD (mm) |
Nominal Length (mm) |
Membrane Area (m2) |
Clean Water Flux (L/h, 25 ˚C, 1Bar) |
Crossflow Rate for 1ms-1 Fluid Velocity |
Maximum Pressure - Feed/TMP/Permeate (Bar, 50˚C) |
Volume Feed Side (mL) |
Volume Permeate Side (mL) |
Feed/Retentate Connection |
Permeate Connection |
| SEP-0013 |
3,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
130 |
0.017 |
2.2 |
181 |
1/1/2001 |
9 |
9 |
A2 |
A1 |
| SEP-1013 |
3,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
347 |
0.2 |
25 |
724 |
3/3/2002 |
90 |
120 |
B1 |
B1 |
| Sep-13 |
3,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
552 |
1 |
130 |
1629 |
5/3/2002 |
300 |
500 |
C4 |
C3 |
| Sep-13 |
3,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
1129 |
4.7 |
650 |
3655 |
5/3/2003 |
1200 |
3700 |
C5 |
C4 |
| SAP-0013 |
4,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
130 |
0.017 |
3.6 |
181 |
1/1/2001 |
9 |
9 |
A2 |
A1 |
| SAP-1013 |
4,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
347 |
0.2 |
36 |
724 |
3/3/2002 |
90 |
120 |
B1 |
B1 |
| SAP-3013 |
4,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
1129 |
4.7 |
900 |
3655 |
5/3/2003 |
1200 |
3700 |
C5 |
C4 |
| SAV-3013 |
4,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
1126 |
5.6 |
1100 |
4343 |
5/3/2003 |
1200 |
3700 |
C7 |
D2 |
| SAV-5013 |
4,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
1126 |
12.1 |
2400 |
9950 |
5/3/2003 |
3800 |
5300 |
C8 |
D3 |
| SIP-0013 |
6,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
130 |
0.017 |
3.4 |
181 |
1/1/2001 |
9 |
9 |
A2 |
A1 |
| SIP-1013 |
6,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
347 |
0.2 |
40 |
724 |
3/3/2002 |
90 |
120 |
B1 |
B1 |
| SIP-1023 |
6,000 |
0.8/1.1 |
347 |
0.2 |
44 |
724 |
3/3/2002 |
90 |
130 |
B1 |
B1 |
| SIP-2013 |
6,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
552 |
1 |
200 |
1629 |
5/3/2002 |
300 |
500 |
C4 |
C3 |
| SIP-3013 |
6,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
1129 |
4.7 |
1000 |
3655 |
5/3/2003 |
1200 |
3700 |
C5 |
C4 |
| SIP-3023 |
6,000 |
0.8/1.1 |
1129 |
7.2 |
1700 |
5610 |
5/3/2003 |
700 |
3700 |
C5 |
C4 |
| VIP-3017S |
6,000 |
0.8/1.4 |
1129 |
4.7 |
1000 |
3655 |
5/3/2003 |
1200 |
3700 |
C5 |
C4 |
| SLP-0053 |
10,000 |
1.4/2.3 |
130 |
0.015 |
4.1 |
277 |
1/1/2001 |
11 |
9 |
A2 |
A1 |
| SLP-1053 |
10,000 |
1.4/2.3 |
347 |
0.1 |
40 |
776 |
3/3/2002 |
85 |
120 |
B1 |
B1 |
| SLP-2053 |
10,000 |
1.4/2.3 |
552 |
0.6 |
150 |
1773 |
5/3/2002 |
310 |
500 |
C4 |
C3 |
| SLP-3053 |
10,000 |
1.4/2.3 |
1129 |
4.5 |
1500 |
5819 |
5/3/2003 |
1850 |
3700 |
C5 |
C4 |
(1) Third letter represents housing material: P – Clear native Polysulfone with silicone gasket, V – white PVC with butyl rubber gasket.
(2) Nominal length is flange to flange, or to ends of connectors on quick-connect modules. Detailed drawings available upon request.
(3) Guideline module filling volume to allow calculation of minimum system working volumes when added to volumes of attached piping and other components.
Drained residual volumes are considerably less.
(4) VIP-3017S – Maximum Inlet pressure for steam at 121 °C is 1.1 barg, max TMP 0.1 barg, filtrate pressure 0 (open steaming, no back pressure).
