Monthly Archives: May 2017

Sterlitech now offers an Acrylic Sepa Test Cell in an additional channel depth: 34 mil. The original Acrylic Sepa Test Cell utilizes a 75 mil channel depth and has been widely used by researchers over the years. In many experiments involving the Sepa cells, combinations of stainless steel shims and polymeric spacers (with differing thicknesses) are installed in the cell to reduce the channel depth or mimic the hydrodynamic conditions of commercially available spiral-wound elements.

However, when it comes to the Acrylic Sepa Test Cell, the ability to visually investigate the hydrodynamic conditions inside the cell or to visually observe local fouling at the membrane surface is critical and the basis for the development of the cell. In some cases,

The use of polymeric membranes for filtration of non-aqueous solutions started around 1960 and has been developed significantly since then [1]. Today, non-aqueous membrane filtration applications in chemical and pharmaceutical processing account for more than 25% of the global total polymeric membrane market [2].

To put into perspective the potential significance of membrane filtration for non-aqueous solutions, one must realize that conventional separation processes still accounts for up to 70% of capital (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) expenditures in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries [2,3]. Therefore, to reduce CAPEX and OPEX, developing membrane separation processes that can be more efficient and cost effective than conventional separation processes has been of great interest for these industries and a growing field of research.

Sterlitech has observed this growing demand from the research community for solvent resistant membranes that can be used in non-aqueous

As we grow in understanding the significance different organisms have in the ecology of an environment, it helps tremendously if we know which organisms inhabit that environment – whether they’re supposed to be there or not.  One method that is gaining widespread use, and relies on a simple filtration method, is the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) from local waterways.

As animals inhabit a river, lake, or pond, they shed off skin cells and other body waste that often contains that animal’s own unique DNA.  These shed cells and their DNA can be easily isolated, by filtering a sample of collected water and then sequencing the captured DNA in a lab.  The data is then compared against known organisms for that area.  The data allows researchers to identify the presence or absence of organisms based on small gene sequences that turn up from the analyzed unique eDNA, just like a fingerprint on a crime scene. Sterlitech offers

Last month, we described the considerations associated with predicting filter service life and how total throughput can be estimated through experimentation.  In this second installment, we will examine four filter selection strategies for maximizing service life in continuous-use applications. These aspects consider chemical compatibility, temperature, binding characteristics, and pore size.

At the most basic level, selecting filters that are compatible with the application’s chemistry is the key to success.  Filters with poor compatibility to the liquid being filtered typically fail well before normal clogging due to limitations associated with filter deterioration.  The filter chosen must exhibit both good chemical compatibility with the fluid and good physical compatibility with the operating conditions.  PTFE and polyether ether ketone (PEEK