The primary purpose of Tangential Flow Filtration is the concentration of product present in feed solution from a previous purification or separation step. The feed solution is circulated in a closed loop, passing through the filter. Real time measurement can allow accurate determination of concentration end point and hence maximize yield.
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By installing photometric sensors at the start of the filtration process and between each filtering step, flow can be stopped, recirculated or switched to an alternate filter if turbidity reaches an unacceptable level. Through the use of inline control, product will achieve the necessary clarification without the risk of equipment failure or failure of the operator to identify a problem, usually resulting in costly refiltering, lost time or poor quality finished product.
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Tangential Flow Filtration Benefits |
- Maximized Product Yields
- Extended Filter Life
- Improved Filtration Time
- Minimized Product Loss
- Immediate Detection of Breakthrough
- Reduced Costs by Optimizing Control
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In a typical TFF system there are three process flows that should be considered for monitoring: product feed to the recirculation tank, retentate return to the recirculation tank and permeate flow to drain.
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| Product Feed |
In systems with an overall control scheme, an optek AF45 or AF46 UV absorption sensor can control the feed concentration, adjusting the flow rates and pressures to optimize the process.
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| Permeate Line |
Either an optek TF16 turbidimeter, or an AF45 or AF46 UV absorption sensor is typically used to monitor the permeate line. With an optek sensor installed on your permeate line you can identify trace containments under 1ppm and detect filter breakthrough in real-time, while eliminating bulk collection for laboratory analysis.
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| Retentate Line |
An optek AF45 or AF46 UV sensor is an ideal way to monitor concentration in the filtration process. Real time concentration readings of up to 30 OD can be measured and trended without violating integrity of the system and without wasting product through sampling.
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Process data from inline sensors is collected by the optek Control 4000 converter. C4000 converters have integral trending for concentration readings and peaks. Outputs from the C4000 converter can be sent to a PLC or plant DCS, or used to actuate valves based on trigger points. The C4000 converter provides as many as three user-selectable alarm set points to provide operators with immediate notification of a breakdown in the system’s integrity, preventing potentially devastating product losses.
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| Tangential Flow Filtration Summary |
optek inline photometers are an extremely effective way of monitoring filtration performance to achieve the most efficient and cost effective means of clarifying product as it passes from filtration step to filtration step. optek sensors can determine the point at which acceptable purity is achieved or detect filter upset or breakthrough.
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Inline photometric control guarantees the clarification of final product. Any deviation can be instantly detected, allowing process changes to be initiated immediately. The optek photometric system becomes an unsurpassed tool for quality assurance and quality control; thereby, reducing lab analysis, visual inspection and increasing filter system automation.
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