Frequently Asked Technical Questions

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What is a Forward Flow (FF) integrity test?

The Forward Flow Test is designed to test the integrity of sterilizing and virus grade hydrophilic and hydrophobic membrane filters.  This qualitative test is based on measuring the gas flow across a completely wetted membrane at a defined constant test pressure on the upstream side.  When the downstream side of the membrane is at atmospheric pressure a diffusion flow of gas is established due to the pressure differential.  The Forward Flow test is Pall’s recommended integrity test for capsule and cartridge filters.

Do I need a holder to use the Single-Use TFF (SUTFF) modules? Can it be used without a holder?

Yes, the SUTFF module requires a SUTFF module holder.  The SUTFF module must be placed in the SUTFF module holder and compressed to activate the seals.  The SUTFF module will leak if it is used without a module holder.  Refer to FAQ: What is the part number of the SUTFF module holder?

What are the possible root causes of a false failure of the Water Intrusion Test (WIT)?

Measured water flow that exceeds the test limit during Water Intrusion testing can be caused by a range of root causes, some of which are listed below. It can be seen that there are several factors which can lead to false test failures.

Possible root causes for false failures are:

  • System leaks (filter housing, fittings, tubes, etc.)
  • Insufficient test time
  • Insufficient stabilization time
  • Temperature influence
  • Reversible partial wetting of the filter membrane (due to condensation of moisture within the pores or excessive pressure events)

More unlikely for unused filters (pre use test):

  • Foreign substances / contaminations deposited on the filter

Root causes for true failures are:

  • Filter defects
  • Compromised O-ring seal with the housing

The WIT is performed on a non-wetted (“dry”) hydrophobic filter. The upstream side of the filter assembly is completely filled with water, covering the entire filter.  An air test pressure lower than the actual water intrusion (or water breakthrough) pressure of the largest membranes pores is applied to the system. The membrane pores remain “dry” during the test. The test pressure drives a transport of water vapors from the water phase across the filter membrane following the pressure differential. Transport of liquid water through all wetted pores and wetted flow pathways or defects will also occur. The WIT quantitatively measures the sum of water vapor (evaporation) and liquid water flow through the hydrophobic filter.

For a sterilizing grade filter, the maximum allowed flow (integrity test limit) is derived from the generic filter validation and correlated with the bacteria retention capability of the filter.

For more information, please see Pall Publication, USD 3033 Application Note: Best Practices for Successful Filter Integrity Testing Using the Water Intrusion Test (WIT) Method 

What is the best way to lubricate the O-rings of a filter before an integrity test is performed?

Pall recommends the use of water to lubricate the O-rings of a filter in order to ease installation into the housing.

Pall does not recommend the use of alcohol (or an alcohol/water mixture) as it could come into contact with the filter membrane, causing a hydrophilic spot that will allow water passage, resulting in a false failure test result, especially in a water intrusion test.

Additionally, if any alcohol gets trapped between the two O-rings grooves, there will be a localized area where the alcohol will expand when the filter is sterilized (autoclave or steam-in-place).  This can potentially damage the filter adapter, or impact the filter to housing seal.

For more information, please see Pall Publication, USD 3033 Application Note: Best Practices for Successful Filter Integrity Testing Using the Water Intrusion Test (WIT) Method 

What should I know if I wish to perform an integrity test with water at high temperatures?

In general, Pall does not recommend performing an integrity test at temperatures above 50°C when using water as the wetting fluid.

Forward Flow measurements at temperatures above 50 °C are considerably higher than at ambient temperature, and are more difficult to keep constant to the ±1 °C test specification.  This may introduce inaccuracies in the measurement and in calculating appropriate test limits.  When integrity testing is performed at elevated temperatures, the use of jacketed housing or a heating jacket is recommended to keep the temperature stable during the test.

While Pall can provide calculated test limits for elevated temperatures when water is used as the wetting fluid, additional testing should be performed to confirm these limits.  In addition, monitoring actual test results by the end user can also show that these limits are appropriate.

Please contact a Pall representative if you would like more information on developing Forward Flow and Bubble Point limits for all wetting fluids at elevated temperatures.

What is a Bubble Point (BP) integrity test?

The Bubble Point Test is designed to detect the largest pores of hydrophilic and hydrophobic membrane filters.  The Bubble Point test is based on measuring the gas flow across a completely wetted membrane at increasing gas test pressure, until the point at which the wetting fluid is expelled from the pores, and bulk flow is measured. 

The Bubble Point test is considered a subjective test, and the results can vary depending on the algorithm of the test instrument.  The Bubble Point method is the preferred integrity test method for testing filter discs, as the Forward Flow is often too low to be accurately measured. 

Why does my filter need to be dry before a Water Intrusion Test (WIT)?

The Water Intrusion Test measures water flow through a submerged filter when pressure is applied to the upstream side of the filter housing. Because this test can only be performed on a hydrophobic filter, the WIT measurement for an integral filter is primarily evaporative flow of water through the pores of the membrane.

When a hydrophobic filter becomes partially wetted with a low surface tension liquid such as an alcohol water mix, or condensate (from autoclave or Steam-In-Place (SIP)), then the WIT may result in a false failure.  This is due to a water channel forming through the membrane in areas where it has become wet, resulting in the free flow of water.

If the filter has become partially wet, it must be restored to a fully dry state before a WIT can be performed successfully.  Flowing compressed air through the filter for several hours is often required.  Alternatively, oven drying can be performed. Please contact your local Pall representative for the appropriate filter drying conditions.

Pall recommends the following to prevent a hydrophobic filter from becoming wet:

  • Keep the filter away from potential sources of low surface tension liquids such as alcohol mixtures.
  • If the filter is autoclaved, use a slow exhaust cycle and a vacuum drying cycle.
  • If the filter is subjected to SIP, use a cooling gas such as air or nitrogen following SIP.

In certain applications, post-use testing using WIT is impractical due to product contamination on the filter, i.e. bioreactor exhaust filter.  In these cases, Pall recommends performing a post-use Forward Flow integrity test.

For more information, please see Pall Publications:

USD 3033 Application Note: Best Practices for Successful Filter Integrity Testing Using the Water Intrusion Test (WIT) Method

USTR2821 Application Note: Scientific and Technical Report – In Situ Drying of Pall Hydrophobic Air Filters Prior to Moist Heat Sterilization

When should the Water Intrusion Test be selected for integrity testing hydrophobic filters?

The Water Intrusion Test is a practical and validated test which can be used for in-situ integrity testing of hydrophobic gas filters. This test is conducted with deionized or higher quality water, without the need for low-surface-tension flammable solvents (such as Isopropyl Alcohol or Ethanol). Due to occupational risks, environmental regulations, safety guidelines and cost associated with handling these low surface tension solvents, water intrusion is becoming the method of choice for integrity testing hydrophobic microbial rated filters for air or gas applications.

Water Intrusion testing is the preferred test where the hydrophobic microbial rated gas filter:

  • Is integrity tested in-situ
  • A pre-use test is performed (especially after sterilization)
  • Alcohol use is restricted or not allowed in the production area

The Forward Flow or Bubble Point test, is the preferred method to integrity test filters in applications where:

  • A small area filter is used
  • An off-line filter integrity test is performed
  • To confirm filter integrity following a water intrusion test failure evaluation

For more information, please see Pall Publication, USD 3033 Application Note: Best Practices for Successful Filter Integrity Testing Using the Water Intrusion Test (WIT) Method

 

How does the water level in the filter housing assembly affect the Water Intrusion Test (WIT)?

To successfully perform a Water Intrusion Test (WIT), the entire length of the filter has to be covered by (submerged in) water for the duration of the test.

During pressurization of the filter housing assembly to the water intrusion test pressure, the water level drops upstream of the filter. The reason is due to compression of the membrane pleats and elimination of gas bubbles during initial pressurization.

This can leave a portion of the filter exposed to pressurized air, which will freely flow through the exposed area and result in a false test failure.

To troubleshoot the cause of a test failure, Pall recommends:

·       To refill the filter housing with water and repeat the test, or

·       Before the test, increase the upstream volume, to have more water above the filter, to compensate for the reduced water levels resulting from the compression.

For more information, please see Pall Publication, USD 3033 Application Note: Best Practices for Successful Filter Integrity Testing Using the Water Intrusion Test (WIT) Method

 

When do I replace my filter?

There is no general rule to this and depends on the filter application.

The user should qualify the filter change-out frequency for their specific application, but this should never exceed Pall claims for cumulative sterilization cycles and/or the maximum differential pressure.  These specificationswere established by Pall in controlled laboratory conditions with filters that were not exposed to any process (including manufacturing or production) conditions.

The filter lifetime and change-out should be based on a risk assessment by the user for their specific application including relevant validation/qualification data.

For example, the impact of a post-use integrity test failure of the filter should be considered.

For gas filtration in compressed gas, tank vent, or utilities setting, industry best practice is to replace the filter under a pre-defined preventative maintenance schedule (i.e. at a minimum of 12-month cycle).

For critical applications, single use is recommended to eliminate the risks of cross contamination between batches.

For more information, please see Pall Publication:

USTR2660 Considerations Re-Use Sterilizing-Grade Filters

Can I use my Pall sterilizing grade gas filter in both directions?

For gas filtration in  a vent application, YES, Pall sterilizing grade gas filters can be used in both directions.  

For gas filtration, Pall offers the following sterilizing grade gas filters:

Emflon® II V002PV

Emflon PFR

Emflon HTPFR

Acro® 50 (6074270)

Acrodisc® KM292HP

These filter devices feature a symmetrical filter media construction, where two layers of membrane of the same pore rating are used in the manufacturing of the final filter cartridge or capsule.

When a filter of a symmetrical media construction is used for venting purposes, in either forward or reverse flow direction, the gas flow and any contaminants will travel through a torturous path of the same characteristic and length as in the forward direction. This will lead to the same retention efficiency in either flow direction.

Based on the symmetric media construction the filter will thus act as a sterile barrier when venting in either flow direction. Therefore, Pall Emflon® II V002PV, Emflon PFR, Emflon HTPFR, Acro® 50 (6074270) and Acrodisc® KM292HP filters can be used for bi-directional flow applications under this venting mode of filtration.

How does temperature influence integrity testing (BP, FF, WIT)?

In order to consider the influence of the temperature, each filter integrity test method needs to be treated independently, as they are based on different physical principles.

Forward Flow

Forward Flow integrity test limits issued for Pall filters, when wet with standard wetting fluids such as water, 60/40 IPA or similar solutions, apply to a test temperature of 20 °C ± 5 °C. 

Any variation in the temperature of any gas volume in the filter test assembly during the measurement phase has an effect on the flow measurement. Most integrity test instruments measure Forward Flow on the upstream side of filter, as a function of gas pressure change1. Variations in temperature during the test lead to expansion or compression of the gas in the test assembly (tubing and housing upstream of the filter).  Such variations of the gas volume may lead to inaccurate flow measurements.  Therefore, it is recommended to keep the temperature of the filter assembly constant during the test period.

Pall recommends that the temperature of the filter assembly during the test should not vary more than ± 1 °C. Some simple ways to accomplish this are listed below.

Bubble Point

Changes of surface tension are of direct relevance for bubble point testing as the surface tension influences the capillary forces holding the wetting liquid in the membrane pores. The measured bubble point of a given filter which is fully wetted will increase and decrease in direct proportion with the surface tension of the wetting liquid.

This means that lower bubble point values will be measured at higher temperature, and higher bubble point values will be measured at lower temperature.

Water Intrusion Test (WIT)

For Pall filters, the water intrusion limit values apply to ambient temperature (20 °C) with a specified range of ± 2 °C.  During the test period, the temperature of the filter assembly should not vary more than ± 1 °C.

For the WIT, the temperature of the gas in the filter assembly will have the same effects on the gas volume as indicated above for the Forward Flow test.  Water temperature will also have an effect on the measurements.

As the WIT measures evaporative flow, which is typically much lower than diffusion measurements (as measured by the Forward Flow test), any temperature changes will have a greater effect on the WIT measurements compared to the Forward Flow test and may not be identified by environmental or assembly temperature monitoring.

Maintaining Constant Temperature During Integrity Testing

The following is a list of approaches to maintaining a constant temperature during integrity testing:

  • Acclimate the filter and fluids to room temperature before starting the test.  This is especially important for the WIT:  Our guidance is to dispense the water into a container and acclimate for >4 hours.
  • Avoid placing the filter assembly under heating or cooling registers.
  • Avoid handling the filter during the test.
  • In cases where room temperature fluctuates, it may be necessary to insulate tubing and filter assembly.

1 The Palltronic Flowstar line of integrity test instruments measure Forward Flow by direct measurement.  The impact of a change in temperature during the measurement (“Test”) phase will result in an unstable flow measurement, which will extend the test time.

Why does Pall Use a Multiplier When Issuing Multi-Cartridge Forward Flow Limits?

Pall Corporation’s approach for testing multi-modular, sterilizing-grade filter assemblies is to provide assembly-specific Forward Flow limit values below the sum of the maximum allowable FF limit values for the individual filter modules (i.e. a multiplying or reducing factor).  This reduction in allowable Forward Flow is designed to reduce the risk that a marginal filter test failure (in the unlikely event that one is present) cannot be detected in a multi-element assembly.  It results in a tighter, more conservative test limit when compared to a linear multiplier.

While the use of multiplying factors is not a regulatory requirement, it is Pall Corporations’ philosophy on integrity testing to use practices that provide the maximum safety for large filter area installations.  This needs to be balanced with the risk that a set of integral modules may fail the test due to the application of a multiplying factor that is too stringent (“false fail”).  This approach is also described in the 2008 revision of PDA Technical Report No. 26 on Sterilizing Filtration of Liquids 1.

Pall Corporation’s basis for defining the appropriate multiplying factor for a specific multi-modular installation is based on several parameters including:

  • Type of membrane and number of elements
  • Statistical distribution of observed Forward Flow (FF) values for the specific filter
  • Mean deviation for Forward Flow distribution
  • Standard deviation of Forward Flow distribution
  • Point of first failure during microbial challenge (if observed)

Forward Flow limits obtained from Pall Corporation for multi-element filter assemblies will incorporate the appropriate multiplier.

PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Technical Report No. 26 Sterilizing Filtration of Liquids, Rev. 2008. Supplement Volume 62, No. S-5

How does the use of downstream flow restriction help during wetting prior to an integrity test?

Prior to performing an integrity test, it is imperative that the pore structure of the filter membrane be filled with the wetting fluid.  To assure complete wetting, Pall recommends applying downstream flow restriction (sometimes referred to as back pressure, not to be confused with reverse pressure) during the filter flush.

The use of a downstream flow restriction helps to:

  1. Ensure uniform flow distribution through the entire length of the filter
  2. Overcome the tendency for fluid to flow through the path of least resistance. 
  3. Remove air entrapped in the membrane pleats, by further solubilizing the air (due to increased pressure in the system) and by compressing air bubbles to a size where they can freely pass through the membrane.

When testing filters larger than 254 mm (10 in.) or multi-round systems, a downstream flow restriction will ensure the fluid reaches the top of the housing during venting.  Otherwise, the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid will cause it to flow out of the downstream side of the housing before reaching the vent at the highest point in the system.

To apply a downstream flow restriction, Pall recommends installing a pressure gauge downstream of the filter housing, followed by a flow control valve such as a diaphragm valve.

For more information, please see Pall Publication, USD3297_User Guide: Wetting and Flushing of Pall Microbially_Rated_Filter Cartridges and Capsules

Why can I only use Pall Emflon® II V002 filter capsules as a gas filter in my Pall Allegro™ single-use system design?

Pall manufactures different membrane filters for gas filtration. We use either Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter membrane or Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) modified, for such a purpose.

In our Pall Allegro™ single-use systems, the method to sterilize these systems is by gamma irradiation.

The Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter membrane, is incompatible with gamma irradiation, so it could not be used as a gas filter in our Single-Use Systems.

The Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) modified is compatible with gamma irradiation and for this reason is the device to be used with our Single-Use-Systems.

Pall Emflon II V002 sterilizing grade filters uses a filter membrane made of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF).

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