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Types of filtration
Richard V Levy1, Maik W Jornitz
1PDA, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. levy@pda.org
Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology
|March 31, 2006
Summary
Biopharmaceutical filtration utilizes prefilters to remove contaminants and protect finer membrane filters. Nanofilters, often 20-50 nm, are key for viral removal, ensuring fluid purity and safety.
Area of Science:
- Biopharmaceutical Engineering
- Filtration Technology
- Separation Science
Background:
- The biopharmaceutical industry relies on diverse filtration systems for fluid purification.
- Prefilters, made from melt-blown fibers, handle high contaminant loads and protect downstream filters.
- Membrane filters offer higher selectivity for polishing and sterilization, requiring integrity testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline common filtration mechanisms and applications in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
- To differentiate the roles of prefilters, membrane filters, and nanofilters.
- To highlight the importance of filter selection for fluid quality and process efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Review of prefilter designs (pleated, wound) and materials (melt-blown fibers).
- Description of membrane filter applications (polishing, sterilization) and integrity testing.
- Explanation of cross-flow filtration for micro- and ultrafiltration membranes.
- Characterization of nanofilters, particularly for viral removal (20-50 nm retention ratings).
Main Results:
- Prefilters effectively remove bulk contaminants, extending the life of sensitive membrane filters.
- Membrane filters are critical for achieving high purity standards and require validation through integrity testing.
- Cross-flow filtration enhances membrane performance by preventing clogging and enabling concentration/diafiltration.
- Nanofilters provide precise size exclusion, commonly used for effective viral clearance.
Conclusions:
- A tiered filtration strategy using prefilters, membrane filters, and nanofilters is essential for biopharmaceutical fluid processing.
- Proper selection and application of these filters ensure product safety, efficacy, and process robustness.
- Advanced filtration techniques like cross-flow filtration optimize separation processes and membrane longevity.
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