Overview
Laboratory capsule filters are self-contained filtration units integrating a pleated membrane within a polypropylene housing. They combine the convenience of disposable filters with the efficiency of depth filtration, eliminating the need for separate filter holders. Originally developed for pharmaceutical applications, their use has expanded to biotechnology, food/beverage testing, and environmental analysis. These filters are pre-sterilized by gamma irradiation and validated for bacterial retention (e.g., 0.2 μm filters for sterile filtration). The capsule format reduces contamination risks during setup compared to traditional disc filters, making them ideal for critical processes like media preparation or buffer filtration.
Structure and Working Principle
The core component is a multi-layer pleated membrane (PTFE, PES, or Nylon) that maximizes surface area within a compact housing. Inlet/outlet ports (typically 1/4"–1" tubing connections) allow direct integration into fluid systems. Some models include a pre-filter layer to extend service life with particle-laden solutions. During operation, fluid enters the housing under positive pressure, passes through the membrane where particles are trapped by size exclusion, and exits as filtrate. The pleated design maintains low differential pressure even at high flow rates (up to 15 L/min for water with 10" capsules). Bubble point testing verifies membrane integrity post-use.
Key Features
1. **Sterility Assurance**: Pre-sterilized and DNase/RNase-free options eliminate the need for autoclaving. 2. **High Capacity**: Pleated membranes offer 5–10× more filtration area than flat disc filters of comparable size. 3. **Material Options**: PTFE for aggressive solvents, PES for high throughput aqueous solutions, Nylon for general use. Additional features may include color-coded housings for pore size identification, Luer lock fittings for small-volume applications, and validation documentation (e.g., USP Class VI compliance for pharmaceutical use). Some industrial-grade models withstand temperatures up to 80°C for hot filtration.
Application Areas
**Pharmaceuticals**: Sterile filtration of buffers, media, and APIs. **Biotech**: Clarification of cell culture harvests. **Food/Beverage**: Microbiological testing sample preparation. **Electronics**: Ultra-pure water filtration for chip manufacturing. In vaccine production, 0.22 μm capsules ensure sterility while retaining viruses for concentration. Environmental labs use them for airborne particulate monitoring. The food industry applies them for mycotoxin removal from liquids. Specialized variants with activated carbon layers serve in solvent purification.
Maintenance and Precautions
As disposable devices, capsule filters require no maintenance but demand proper installation: 1. Orient flow direction correctly (marked on housing). 2. Avoid sudden pressure spikes (>30 psi typically). 3. Pre-wet hydrophobic membranes (e.g., PTFE) with alcohol for aqueous solutions. For extended use, monitor pressure differential; replace when it reaches 80% of manufacturer's limit. Never reuse capsules intended for single-use due to risk of extractables/leachables. Store unopened units in original packaging at room temperature, protected from UV light.
B2B Procurement Guide
When sourcing at scale: 1. **Volume Discounts**: Orders of 100+ units often qualify for 15–30% price reductions. 2. **Customization**: Suppliers may offer private labeling or tailored pore size/membrane combinations. 3. **Lead Time**: Standard products ship in 1–2 weeks; validated batches may require 4+ weeks. Key suppliers include Merck Millipore (Stericup), Pall (Supor), and Sartorius (Sartopore). Compare validation packages—ISO 9001 is standard, while ASME BPE certification matters for bioprocessing. Consider total cost of ownership: higher-priced capsules with greater capacity may reduce change-out frequency.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：机械格栅、回转式格栅除污机、中心传动刮泥机、转鼓式精密过滤器、纤维转盘过滤器、网板格栅、雨水格栅、转鼓格栅、滗水器、带式压滤机、搅拌机、转碟曝气机、叠螺式污泥脱水机、加药装置
- 主营：带式压滤机、洗砂泥浆脱水设备、焚烧炉、隔油池、压滤机、厨房油水分离机、真空带式过滤机、加药装置、泥浆脱水
- 主营：刮泥机、吸泥机、中心传动刮泥机、纤维转盘过滤器、转鼓精密过滤器、周边传动刮泥机、行车式刮泥机、虹吸式刮泥机、桥式吸砂机、机械格栅、格栅除污机、格栅清污机、内进流网版格栅除污机、反捞式格栅除污机、钢丝绳格栅除污机、回转式格栅机、滤布滤池、微滤机、循环式格栅机、桁架式刮泥机、链条式刮泥机、提耙式刮泥机、刮吸泥机、全桥式刮泥机、耙齿式格栅机
- 主营：袋式过滤器、密闭板式过滤器、精密过滤器、不锈钢过滤器、滤芯过滤器、硅藻土过滤器、自清洗过滤器、层叠过滤器、板框过滤器、微孔过滤器、烛式过滤器、小车过滤器、塑胶过滤器、篮式过滤器、滤袋
- 主营：刮泥机、投加机、污水处理设备、重力无阀过滤器、机械格栅除污机、全自动加药设备
- 主营：[]
- 主营：全自动自清洗过滤器、烛式过滤器、全自动刮刀式过滤器、袋式过滤器、保安过滤器、多柱式反冲洗过滤器、叠片式反冲洗过滤器、篮式过滤器、移动式过滤机、三合一过滤机
- 主营：格栅机、刮泥机、砂水分离器、纤维转盘过滤器、转鼓精密过滤器、细格栅型号、内进流网版格栅清污机、吸泥机、反冲洗微滤机、旋流沉沙器、机械格栅、回转式格栅清污机、回转格栅机、周边传动刮泥机材质、行车式刮吸泥机、桥式吸砂机、虹吸式刮泥机、耙齿捞渣机、钢丝绳格栅除污机、反捞式格栅除污机、全桥式刮泥机、滤布滤池、滚筒微滤机、内进流网版细格栅、桁车式刮泥机
- 主营：溶气气浮机、污水处理设备、桁车式刮泥机、纤维转盘过滤器、废水处理设备、气浮沉淀一体机、纤维转盘过滤池
- 主营：真空泵、变频空压机、制氮机、鼓风机、冷干机、高温水源热泵
- 主营：预制泵站、污水管道、溶解加药装置、过滤器、铸铁镶铜圆闸门
- 主营：机械格栅机、格栅除污机、不锈钢格栅机、精密过滤器、刮泥机、叠螺机
- 主营：脱水机、机械格栅、加药搅拌桶、浓缩叠螺机、不锈钢格栅、不锈钢加药、处理活性生物、六角蜂窝填料、一体化叠螺机、聚氨酯多孔球、不锈钢叠螺机、活性生物填料、人工仿水草绳
- 主营：组合阀、光敏管、电磁阀、囊式滤器、燃烧器、燃气阀、温控表、燃油机、纯化柱、调压器、传感器、切断阀、点火针、样品瓶、超滤膜、轻油机、调压阀、程控器、分析柱、比例阀、联轴器、变压器、控制器、火花塞、压力表、真空泵
- 主营：TOC分析仪、渗透压仪、手套检漏仪、过滤器完整性测试仪、水质分析仪、击穿电压试验仪、绝缘电阻测试仪、电力材料检测仪器、气象监测仪器
- 主营：八联管、玻璃板、透明管、实验耗材、实验室酸度计、转印内芯、生物试剂、细胞计数板、反转录试剂、合成试剂盒、电泳仪电源、凝胶支持膜、细 胞计数板、白色八联排管、水平电泳梳子、化学发光底物、超厚转印滤纸、凝胶支架转印夹、孔径过滤膜、缓冲液台式仪表、圆片型超滤膜、分散酶、免疫共沉淀试剂盒、胎牛血清、密理博有机过滤膜
- 主营：707滤芯、油滤芯、汽轮机、海普洛、海富泰克滤芯、PALL滤芯、贺德克滤芯、雅歌滤芯、孚润德滤芯、马勒滤芯、富卓滤芯、承天倍达滤芯、风电滤芯、大生滤芯、翡翠滤芯、派克滤芯、威格士滤芯、电厂滤芯、火电厂滤芯、聚结滤芯、日本增田滤芯
- 主营：层析纸、过滤膜、层析柱、预过滤器、针头过滤器、换膜过滤器、可换膜滤器、离心式过滤器、针头式过滤器、slcr025nb、趋药性膜、尼龙滤膜、定量滤纸、无灰滤纸、定性滤纸、acrodisc滤头、径迹蚀刻膜、聚碳酸酯膜、超滤离心管、重金属检测、混合纤维素膜、醋酸纤维素膜、gn6检测专用膜、玻璃纤维滤纸、尼龙表面滤膜
- 主营：过滤膜、滤血膜、石英滤膜、聚碳酸酯、定性滤纸、定量滤纸、检测滤膜、纤维素膜、表面滤膜、白色空气滤膜、混合纤维素酯、超滤、whatman、pall、Merck、millipore、密理博、advantec
- 主营：滤器、滤膜、滤纸、超滤管
- 主营：离心瓶、过滤板、样品瓶、过滤器、缓冲液、电子秤、酶标板、细胞团、核转仪、微孔板、超滤管、培养基、细胞仪、色谱柱、方形瓶、纯水机、移液器、超纯水、离心管、广口瓶、黑底板、乳胶微粒、质控微球、核心单元、胎牛血清