Pleated Membrane Filter Cartridges

When choosing a pleated membrane cartridge, start with these steps:

1. Define the filtration role
   • Final sterile filtration, bioburden reduction, or clarification only?
2. Select membrane material
   • PES: hydrophilic, low protein binding, excellent for pharma, biotech and electronics final filtration.
   • PTFE: hydrophobic/hydrophilic options; excellent chemical and temperature resistance, ideal for aggressive media and gas/vent filtration.
   • PVDF: hydrophobic, broad chemical resistance; widely used in chemicals and electronics.
   • Nylon: strong, naturally hydrophilic, low extractables; widely used in beverages and pharma.
3. Choose pore size / micron rating
   • Typical 0.1–0.2 μm for sterile and bacteria-retentive applications.
   • 0.45–1.0 μm for bioburden reduction / polishing.
   • Larger pores for certain clarification duties.
4. Check fluid chemistry & temperature
   • Confirm compatibility of membrane, support layers, and O-rings with process media and CIP / sterilization chemicals.
5. Size for flow & pressure drop
   • Use pleat area and housing design to keep ΔP within acceptable range at end of life, not just at start-up.

Omela’s engineering team typically works from a process questionnaire
(fluid, flow, T, pH, chemistry, hygiene level, existing system) and returns a
membrane + pore size + geometry + housing suggestion.

Pleated membrane elements are recommended when you need:

• Absolute retention of microorganisms or fine particles
• Validatable performance with integrity testing
• Stable filtrate quality under variable load
• Critical product contact (parenterals, ophthalmics, bottled water, high-end beverages, electronics rinse)

Depth filters (melt-blown, string-wound, depth pleated PP) are excellent as
pre-filters, but final high-purity steps usually require
membrane cartridges to meet regulatory and QA requirements.

Key checkpoints in operation:

• Differential pressure trend (ΔP)
  • Rising ΔP at stable flow indicates normal loading; sudden jumps may indicate plugging, fouling, or upstream upset.
• Filtrate quality
  • Turbidity, SDI, particle counts, or microbiological results must match the design role (sterile, bioburden control, polishing).
• Integrity testing
  • Online/offline bubble point or diffusion tests for sterile-grade cartridges, especially after CIP/SIP cycles.
• Mechanical condition
  • Check for deformation, cracked end-caps, core damage, O-ring cuts, or incorrect installation.
• Change-out criteria
  • Typical replacement at 1.8–2.5 bar ΔP, depending on application and system design.

Omela can help define change-out ΔP, integrity test parameters, and
sampling plans so that membrane cartridges are used to full life without compromising safety.

Pleated membrane cartridges are available in PP, PES, and PTFE,
each suited to different operating conditions.

• PP membranes offer broad chemical compatibility and cost-effective filtration for general water and process applications.
• PES membranes provide higher flow efficiency and low protein binding, making them ideal for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical processes.
• PTFE membranes are recommended for aggressive chemicals, solvents, or elevated temperatures where maximum chemical resistance is required.

Material selection should consider fluid chemistry, temperature, and required cleanliness level.

Pleated membrane cartridges are typically available in 1–100 μm micron ratings, with 98–99.9% removal efficiency at the rated size, depending on membrane type and test method.This makes them suitable for applications requiring consistent particle retention and stable filtrate quality.

By delivering stable pressure drop, high flow efficiency, and consistent particle retention,
pleated membrane cartridges reduce:

• Premature cartridge change-outs
• System downtime
• Fouling of downstream equipment

This results in lower maintenance frequency and a significantly reduced
total operating cost (TOC) over the cartridge lifecycle.