Liquid purification or separation – Plural distinct separators – Filters
Patent
1994-12-19
1996-06-11
Walker, W. L.
Liquid purification or separation
Plural distinct separators
Filters
210346, 210437, 210486, B01D 2917
Patent
active
055252214
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sterile-filtration filter for suspensions.
For filtration of sterile suspensions in the pharmaceutical domain, it is absolutely necessary that all parts of a filtration device be thoroughly cleaned mechanically prior to actual sterilization, e.g., by superheated steam, to remove any adhering solids. In general, this can only be accomplished by disassembling all of the individual parts of the apparatus. In many cases, disassembling the parts of a filter unit is possible, if at all, only at great expense.
A filter device with a plurality of filter candles which are arranged so as to be suspended in a pressure vessel is known. The retaining part of the two-part filter candles on the filtrate side is substantially formed by a tube carrying the actual filtering medium in the form of a woven hose. In the known device, the filter elements are arranged one after the other so as to be suspended at removable collecting tubes through which the clear filtrate is removed (EP-A-0 070 589). A filter device of this type is well-suited in large-scale chemical operations for washing out filter cakes or suspensions, but is not suited for sterile filtration in pharmaceutical applications.
EP-A-0 066 921 discloses a filter element which is formed by a closed central tube as supporting member and serves to remove a filtrate, filtering media being arranged around the tube. Either plastic tubes or metal tubes can be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sterile-filtration filter for suspensions, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a filter for sterile filtration in which all parts, in particular the filter elements, can be inspected and cleaned in a simple manner.
This object is met according to the invention in that the central tube is arranged in the hollow member and filtering medium so as to be removable.
This has the advantage that the central tube is accessible to inspection and mechanical cleaning and the filter candle is also visible and accessible from the outside and can be cleaned without being removed.
A flange is advisably provided in the upper third of the hollow member or central tube. This has the advantage that the greatest possible surface of the filter element can be used as an active filter surface.
The end flange serves for fastening the hollow member at the horizontally extending effluent tube at which a plurality of filter elements can be arranged.
The free end of the hollow member is advisably provided with a sealing cap which can be designed in various ways.
The sealing cap is advantageously provided with a single or double bore so as to facilitate backblowing or backrinsing as well as cleaning and sterilization of the filter element.
In a variant, the sealing cap is provided with a bore hole which serves as a condensate runoff and can be made from sintered metal or from some other porous medium.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a section through the sterile filter according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a filter element according to the invention in a plan view;
FIG. 3 shows the filter element according to FIG. 2 in longitudinal section;
FIG. 4 shows a variant of the filter element according to the invention in longitudinal section.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIG. 1, the wall of a pressure vessel is designated by 1. Filter elements 2', 2", 2'", 2.sup.iv and 2.sup.v are arranged in the pressure vessel 1 in such a way that they lead through the upper part of the
REFERENCES:
patent: 3945923 (1976-03-01), Rogers et al.
patent: 4402828 (1983-09-01), Edens
patent: 5298159 (1994-03-01), Peterman
The Random House College Dictionary, Revised Edition, p. 501.
Dr.M, Dr,Muller AG.
Striker Michael J.
Walker W. L.
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