Qualification of high purity filter cartridges for ultraclean liquid filtration

For the present specifications for membrane filter cartridges are partially insufficient or can hardly be compared, a new extensive test method was developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA). With this test method comparative statements can be made concerning the rinseup behaviour, the particle retentina and the reaction of filter cartridges on pressure shocks. All tested filter cartridges do not show any discernible penetration of added particles. In contrast to that, the different reactions of various filter cartridges on pressure shocks were striking. In general, differences concerning the operation behaviour of high-performance filters can clearly be determined with this new filter test method. Due to the objectives and structure of the IPA the development of filter test methods will be continued. The filter tests will be made available for other companies.