PES, or Polyethersulfone, is a high-performance filter membrane widely used in pharmaceutical, biotech, and cleanroom applications. PES membranes are hydrophilic and microporous, making them ideal for sterile filtration and particle removal.
At LENGE Clean Room, PES membranes are manufactured using proprietary technology in cleanrooms to meet stringent quality standards. They are used in both flat membrane sheets and pleated cartridge filters. The membranes can remove bacteria, particles, and other contaminants efficiently while maintaining high flow rates and low protein binding.
PES membranes are suitable for applications such as sterilizing liquids, filtering water, and air purification. They are compatible with multiple sterilization methods including autoclaving, gamma irradiation, and EtO.
Main advantages:
- Hydrophilic structure for fast wetting
- Low protein binding ensures maximum recovery of active ingredients
- High chemical compatibility across wide pH range
- High bacterial retention (≥10⁷ CFU/cm² of B. diminuta for 0.22 µm)
- Reusable and reliable integrity testing
LENGE offers both PES flat membranes and PES pleated filter cartridges, each tailored to specific cleanroom and filtration needs.
PES Flat Membrane
PES flat membranes are versatile sheets used to fabricate cartridge filters. At LENGE Clean Room, they are produced using cleanroom-controlled processes with strict quality protocols.
Sealing methods include:
- Mechanical
- Heat
- Ultrasonic
- RF welding
- Insert molding
Key features:
- Pharmaceutical grade for 0.22 µm retention of Brevundimonas diminuta
- Hydrophilic for quick wetting
- Built-in asymmetric prefilter layer for optimized flow
- High dirt holding capacity tested with fermentation broth and 2.5% bovine serum
- Compatible with sterilization methods such as EtO, gamma, and autoclave
These membranes provide reliable bacterial retention and support integrity testing for high-performance filtration.
LENGE PES Membrane vs Other Brands
|
Feature |
LENGE PES Membrane |
Some Brand Membrane |
|
Micropore Density |
High |
Lower |
|
Micropore Size |
Uniform and small |
Larger |
|
Bacterial Retention |
≥ 1x10⁷ CFU/cm² |
Lower |
|
Flow Rate |
High throughput |
Lower |
|
Reusability |
Tested multiple cycles |
Limited |
SEM micrographs at 5000X magnification show LENGE membranes have more and smaller pores, enhancing filtration efficiency.
PES Pleated Filter Cartridge Design
PES pleated cartridges use hydrophilic PES membranes supported by polypropylene (PP) structures.
Components:
- Hydrophilic PES membrane
- PP support and drainage
- PP core, cover, end caps
- Sealed leads/fins with stainless steel reinforcement
- Silicon, EPDM, or fluorine rubber O-rings
- Thermal bonding without adhesives
These cartridges are manufactured in Class 100 cleanrooms, meeting GB/T34244-2017 standards, and ensure no surfactants or adhesives contaminate the filtered media.
Technical Specifications of PES Pleated Cartridge
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|
Diameter |
2.75" (69 mm) |
|
Length |
5"/10"/20"/30"/40" |
|
Filtration Area |
10" element: 0.65 m² |
|
Bubble Point (0.22 µm) |
>0.32 MPa in water |
|
Steam Sterilization |
121°C, 30 min, >15 cycles |
|
Max Operating Temp |
85°C/0.2 MPa |
|
Flow Rate |
0.22 µm: 10 lpm/0.01 MPa/10" |
This ensures reliable performance for high-precision filtration.
Features of PES Membrane
PES membranes offer several important features:
- Hydrophilic for fast wetting and consistent flow
- Asymmetric prefilter layer improves throughput
- High chemical compatibility (wide pH range)
- Low protein binding maximizes active ingredient recovery
- High bacterial retention for sterile applications
- Compatible with multiple sterilization methods
- Durable for repeated integrity testing
These features make PES membranes ideal for pharmaceutical, biotech, and cleanroom filtration.
Applications in Pharmaceutical Industry
PES membranes are widely used in pharmaceutical manufacturing for:
- Sterile filtration of LVP and fine needle solutions
- Freeze-dried and spray-dried drug sterilization
- Filtration of animal serum, buffer solutions, and supplements
- Vaccine sterilization and genetically engineered product filtration
- Eye drops and diagnostic reagent filtration
They ensure high purity, reduce contamination risk, and comply with USP standards.
Applications in Food & Beverage
PES cartridges are also suitable for food and beverage industry applications:
- Bottled water terminal filtration
- Draft beer, wine, yellow wine filtration
- Soft drinks and syrup purification
- Sterilization of water for beverages
- Microbial removal in liquid products
These filters provide safety and high throughput for beverage processing.
Chemical and Physical Compatibility
PES membranes are compatible with a wide range of chemicals and sterilization methods:
- pH range: 1–14
- Autoclave at 121°C
- Gamma irradiation
- EtO sterilization
- Hot water sterilization at 85°C
Low protein binding and high chemical resistance ensure integrity of filtered products.
Dirt Holding Capacity and Reusability
LENGE PES membranes are tested for dirt holding capacity using:
- Fermentation broth
- 2.5% bovine serum
Reusability tests confirm:
- 0.22 µm and 0.45 µm cartridges maintain efficiency after repeated use
- Integrity is stable after sterilization cycles
- Bubble point and flow rates remain consistent
High dirt holding ensures longer service life and lower operational costs.
Integrity Testing and Quality Assurance
Each PES filter element undergoes rigorous testing:
- Bubble point test for integrity
- Bacterial challenge tests (LRV ≥ 7)
- Conformance to USP Class 6 for bio-safety
- Traceable production under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 systems
These procedures guarantee consistent performance and regulatory compliance.
Advantages of Using LENGE PES Filters
- High filtration efficiency for 0.1–0.45 µm
- Rapid wetting for reliable operation
- Low protein adsorption for pharmaceutical applications
- Chemical and thermal stability
- Long service life and reusability
- Suitable for pharmaceutical, biotech, water, and beverage industries
- Manufactured in Class 100 cleanrooms for consistent quality
These advantages ensure optimal filtration and safety in critical applications.
Choosing the Right PES Filter
When selecting a PES filter consider:
- Required pore size (0.1 / 0.22 / 0.45 µm)
- Flow rate and pressure drop requirements
- Sterilization compatibility
- Application type (pharma, biotech, food & beverage)
- Cartridge length and diameter
LENGE offers custom options to meet all these requirements.
Conclusion
PES membranes provide high-efficiency filtration for pharmaceutical, biotech, and cleanroom environments. Their hydrophilic structure, low protein binding, high bacterial retention, and chemical compatibility make them ideal for sterile filtration.
LENGE Clean Room produces PES flat membranes and pleated filter cartridges with advanced manufacturing and quality testing. Using LENGE PES filters ensures reliable performance, regulatory compliance, and product safety for critical applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PES membrane filter used for?
A PES membrane filter is widely used for sterile filtration in pharmaceutical, biotech, and laboratory processes. It removes bacteria, particles, and contaminants from liquids while maintaining high flow rates.
Why are PES membranes preferred for sterile filtration?
PES membranes are preferred for sterile filtration because they combine high bacterial retention with low protein binding. This ensures maximum recovery of sensitive pharmaceutical ingredients and biological samples.
What pore sizes are available in PES membrane filters?
Common PES membrane filter pore sizes include 0.1 µm, 0.22 µm, and 0.45 µm. The 0.22 µm PES membrane is most commonly used for sterile filtration because it effectively retains bacteria such as Brevundimonas diminuta.
Can PES membranes withstand sterilization processes?
Yes, PES membranes are compatible with several sterilization methods used in pharmaceutical production. These include autoclaving at 121°C, gamma irradiation, and ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization.
What industries commonly use PES membrane filters?
PES membrane filters are widely used in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food and beverage, and water purification industries. They support sterile filtration of vaccines, serum, buffers, and injectable drug solutions.
What makes PES membranes different from other filter membranes?
Compared with many other filtration materials, PES membranes offer higher flow rates and lower protein adsorption. Their asymmetric microporous structure improves throughput while maintaining excellent bacterial retention.
How do you choose the right PES membrane filter?
Choosing the right PES membrane filter depends on pore size, flow rate requirements, and the specific filtration application. Sterile pharmaceutical filtration typically requires 0.22 µm PES membranes, while clarification processes may use 0.
