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Filter type?

Rickwrack777

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Is PTFE the only filter type suitable for homebrewing? I'm curious as to what kind of filtration setup people are using? I really don't want to push on a syringe with a caulkgun for hours on end. If anyone could point me in the direction of some 250ml or 500ml .22um disposable PTFE bottle top filters I'd be very grateful. They seem hard to find
 

Rickwrack777

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I sent you a link. Hope it helps.
Thank you,
Syn
Thanks. I got the link but it displayed a 404 error that says the page doesn't exist anymore. I assume I'll be ok with a buchner funnel/vacuum setup with filter paper as long as the membrane is made of ptfe, .22um and seated properly?
 

Synergy Forge

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So the short answer to your original question is no. There are a couple of different chemical resistant products that you can purchase. My guess is that if you are using the vacuum method then you probably don't want to go with the .22um due to the difficulty of keeping the fluid moving in it and the amount of pressure that is needed. .22 is the go-to for most but anything that is .45 or smaller would be considered a mechanical sterile product because it filters out all known bacteria (since it is all larger than .45). So my recommendation is to start with the .45 for your first go around and save yourself some headaches. There are many forms of brewing and filtration and the buchner setup is one of them, yes; however it comes with its challenges. you might find the steritop my millipore more to your liking. Here's a link, although I'm not sure what the filtration is made from, it gives you an idea of the concept and a nice video to watch


The pore size is important, but so too is the material for the filter. The question you need to keep in your mind would be, is my filter hydrophobic or hydrophilic. With the latter attracting water and the former repelling water. The hydrophobic is the one that you want. There are different materials you can utilize such as PVDF and PTFE but so long as they are hydrophobic, any will work. Some are better suited for chemicals but you won't be using harsh chemicals that will burn through membranes or deteriorate them. Here is a list of the most common ones below (Retrieved from Sciencefilters.com), don't be fooled by the PES filter, they are not suited for this type of work and will rupture internally without you knowing it when used with a solvent.



Mixed Cellulose Esters (MCE)​


Mixed Cellulose Esters is a very low protein binding membrane that is ideal for aqueous based samples. MCE membranes are an excellent choice when maximum protein recovery in the filtrate is critical. Laboratory studies show that MCE membranes bind less protein than PVDF or Polysulfone membranes. When used with a glass pre-filter in the same housing, these membranes are ideal for filtration of tissue culture media and sensitive biological samples. The pre-filter increases yield.


Nylon​


Nylon membranes provide solvent resistance along with very low extractables. Nylon is commonly used for general laboratory filtration, and filtration of HPLC samples prior to injection. Nylon binds protein, and should not be used when maximum protein recovery is important. Nylon can be sterilized by autoclaving at 120°C, gamma radiation, or ethylene oxide.


Polypropylene (PP)​


Polypropylene membranes are a hydrophobic membrane that exhibit a wide range of chemical compatibility to organic solvents. PP membranes are a good choice for filtration of HPLC samples when performing protein analysis by chromatography. In addition to being highly solvent resistant, these membranes are low non-specific adsorbing membranes, which results in maximum protein recovery for critical analysis. PP membranes are also well suited for biological sample filtration.

Glass Fiber​


Glass fiber filter papers are commonly used as pre-filters in many filtration devices and for filtration of viscous or otherwise hard-to-filter samples with high solids content. These hydrophilic filters feature high-dirt loading capacity, and excellent compatibility with organic solvents and acids. They are typically utilized in applications such as, the filtration of cell media seperations prior to sterilization, clarification of dirt particulate-laden samples, and to pre-filter viscous serum and tissue media prior to analyisis.


PVDF Polyvinylidene fluoride​


PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) is a hydrophobic, solvent resistant membrane that exhibits low levels of UV absorbing extractables. PVDF is useful for HPLC sample filtration, as well as general biological filtration. PVDF is considered to be one of the lower protein binding membranes. PVDF can be treated to also be hydrophilic for applications where it is deemed necessary.


PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene​


PTFE membranes are naturally hydrophobic, and chemically resistant to all solvents, acids and bases. PTFE membranes do not impart any extractables to the filtrate. PTFE is an ideal membrane for transducer protectors, since it blocks water vapor and is also ideal for filtering and de-gassing chromatography solvents. PTFE can be treated to be hydrophilic for applications where it is deemed necessary.

Regenerated Cellulose (RC)​


Regenerated Cellulose is a hydrophilic, solvent resistant, low protein binding membrane. R C membrane is ideal for removing particulates from HPLC samples, prior to injection. This membrane is compatible with all HPLC solvents, and can be utilized for particle removal and de-gassing of these solvents. RC membranes are also compatible with aqueous solutions in the pH range of 3 to 12. Extractable with water are less than 1%. Regenerated Cellulose membranes exhibit low non-specific adsorption, thus they are well suited for filtration of biological samples, where maximum recovery of protein is important. When used with a glass pre filter in the same housing, this membrane is ideal for filtration of tissue culture media, as well as general biological sample filtration. RC membranes can be sterilized by gamma radiation, autoclaving, ethylene oxide, or dry heat.


Cellulose Acetate​


CA Membrane Filters (Cellulose Acetate) are most commonly utilized for the filtration of aqueous solutions, as well as some organic solvents. They can also be used for cell retention for liquid, light scattering measurement, and sterilzation. CA Syringe Filters are especially adept at these applications because of their key characteristics. They are naturally hydrophilic, are low protein binding (thus suitable for aqueous protein solutions), and nitrate free (thus suitable for groundwater filtration).

Polyethersulfone​


PES membrane filters are hydrophilic and produced from a polyethersulfone polymer membrane. They are designed to eliminate particulates during standard filtration, and its low protein and drug binding characteristics allow it to be ideally suited for use in life science applications.
 

Rickwrack777

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So the short answer to your original question is no. There are a couple of different chemical resistant products that you can purchase. My guess is that if you are using the vacuum method then you probably don't want to go with the .22um due to the difficulty of keeping the fluid moving in it and the amount of pressure that is needed. .22 is the go-to for most but anything that is .45 or smaller would be considered a mechanical sterile product because it filters out all known bacteria (since it is all larger than .45). So my recommendation is to start with the .45 for your first go around and save yourself some headaches. There are many forms of brewing and filtration and the buchner setup is one of them, yes; however it comes with its challenges. you might find the steritop my millipore more to your liking. Here's a link, although I'm not sure what the filtration is made from, it gives you an idea of the concept and a nice video to watch


The pore size is important, but so too is the material for the filter. The question you need to keep in your mind would be, is my filter hydrophobic or hydrophilic. With the latter attracting water and the former repelling water. The hydrophobic is the one that you want. There are different materials you can utilize such as PVDF and PTFE but so long as they are hydrophobic, any will work. Some are better suited for chemicals but you won't be using harsh chemicals that will burn through membranes or deteriorate them. Here is a list of the most common ones below (Retrieved from Sciencefilters.com), don't be fooled by the PES filter, they are not suited for this type of work and will rupture internally without you knowing it when used with a solvent.



Mixed Cellulose Esters (MCE)​


Mixed Cellulose Esters is a very low protein binding membrane that is ideal for aqueous based samples. MCE membranes are an excellent choice when maximum protein recovery in the filtrate is critical. Laboratory studies show that MCE membranes bind less protein than PVDF or Polysulfone membranes. When used with a glass pre-filter in the same housing, these membranes are ideal for filtration of tissue culture media and sensitive biological samples. The pre-filter increases yield.


Nylon​


Nylon membranes provide solvent resistance along with very low extractables. Nylon is commonly used for general laboratory filtration, and filtration of HPLC samples prior to injection. Nylon binds protein, and should not be used when maximum protein recovery is important. Nylon can be sterilized by autoclaving at 120°C, gamma radiation, or ethylene oxide.


Polypropylene (PP)​


Polypropylene membranes are a hydrophobic membrane that exhibit a wide range of chemical compatibility to organic solvents. PP membranes are a good choice for filtration of HPLC samples when performing protein analysis by chromatography. In addition to being highly solvent resistant, these membranes are low non-specific adsorbing membranes, which results in maximum protein recovery for critical analysis. PP membranes are also well suited for biological sample filtration.

Glass Fiber​


Glass fiber filter papers are commonly used as pre-filters in many filtration devices and for filtration of viscous or otherwise hard-to-filter samples with high solids content. These hydrophilic filters feature high-dirt loading capacity, and excellent compatibility with organic solvents and acids. They are typically utilized in applications such as, the filtration of cell media seperations prior to sterilization, clarification of dirt particulate-laden samples, and to pre-filter viscous serum and tissue media prior to analyisis.


PVDF Polyvinylidene fluoride​


PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) is a hydrophobic, solvent resistant membrane that exhibits low levels of UV absorbing extractables. PVDF is useful for HPLC sample filtration, as well as general biological filtration. PVDF is considered to be one of the lower protein binding membranes. PVDF can be treated to also be hydrophilic for applications where it is deemed necessary.


PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene​


PTFE membranes are naturally hydrophobic, and chemically resistant to all solvents, acids and bases. PTFE membranes do not impart any extractables to the filtrate. PTFE is an ideal membrane for transducer protectors, since it blocks water vapor and is also ideal for filtering and de-gassing chromatography solvents. PTFE can be treated to be hydrophilic for applications where it is deemed necessary.

Regenerated Cellulose (RC)​


Regenerated Cellulose is a hydrophilic, solvent resistant, low protein binding membrane. R C membrane is ideal for removing particulates from HPLC samples, prior to injection. This membrane is compatible with all HPLC solvents, and can be utilized for particle removal and de-gassing of these solvents. RC membranes are also compatible with aqueous solutions in the pH range of 3 to 12. Extractable with water are less than 1%. Regenerated Cellulose membranes exhibit low non-specific adsorption, thus they are well suited for filtration of biological samples, where maximum recovery of protein is important. When used with a glass pre filter in the same housing, this membrane is ideal for filtration of tissue culture media, as well as general biological sample filtration. RC membranes can be sterilized by gamma radiation, autoclaving, ethylene oxide, or dry heat.


Cellulose Acetate​


CA Membrane Filters (Cellulose Acetate) are most commonly utilized for the filtration of aqueous solutions, as well as some organic solvents. They can also be used for cell retention for liquid, light scattering measurement, and sterilzation. CA Syringe Filters are especially adept at these applications because of their key characteristics. They are naturally hydrophilic, are low protein binding (thus suitable for aqueous protein solutions), and nitrate free (thus suitable for groundwater filtration).

Polyethersulfone​


PES membrane filters are hydrophilic and produced from a polyethersulfone polymer membrane. They are designed to eliminate particulates during standard filtration, and its low protein and drug binding characteristics allow it to be ideally suited for use in life science applications.
Those steritops look great. Sounds like using ptfe and the .45um instead of the .22um filters would be preferable. I'm curious as to what setup the .22um can be used in besides syringe filters?

Thanks for the info Mr. Syn, if I could nominate you for a Nobel prize in brewing I would haha. But seriously, thanks for all you do for the community. Especially the sharing of knowledge and experience. It's much appreciated
 

Synergy Forge

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I am happy to help sir, I think that helping people do it safely and effectively is paramount to our community. Nobody wants to be hurt and knowledge is never something you own, so we might as well share. Thank you for your vote, I hope to be able to use it someday. The PTFE certainly is the most available and advisable, it is sometimes hard to bite the bullet and spend the extra money on them, but you'll be faced with a plethora of decisions much like this one and if you follow what's right instead of cheap you'll always come out on top.

So I use a combination of .45 for the initial filtration to take out much of the impurities. Occasionally, I'll have a tough time finding what I need and move to a One micrometer filter. Regardless of the .45 or 1 size, always following is a .22, and I find that the .22 lasts much longer since it has prefilters in front of it to "take out the trash". The larger pore filters are often less expensive so it becomes a balancing act of longevity and cost efficiency. I write the amount of fluid that passes through each one, how many times they have been sterilized and cleaned, as well as the compounds that run through them. I keep that information in a convenient spreadsheet so that I can anticipate the end of life process for them without them blowing out. So the .22 is very effective and occasionally, I will use a .10 as an alternative if necessary. However, please remember that I am not using steritop but rather a much more complex filtration system with 20" open end filters, but I remember using the steritops and the .22 require so much vacuum that it would crack the plastic container and air would come into it; hence why I suggested the .45. If you can find it in glass then you would be much further ahead than I was when I started out. Always happy to help, so hit me up if you have more questions.

Thank you,
Syn
 
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