Ultrafiltration System

The ultrafiltration (UF) system is a high-performance membrane-based unit operation platform purpose-engineered for tangential flow filtration applications, delivering reliable concentration, buffer exchange, desalting, clarification and impurity removal workflows across biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, food & beverage and related advanced manufacturing sectors. Leveraging ultrafiltration membranes with tightly controlled molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) specifications, the platform achieves selective fractionation under controlled transmembrane pressure, retaining high-molecular-weight species such as monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, polysaccharides and large biomolecular assemblies while permitting the permeation of smaller constituents including aqueous solvents, salts, small peptides and low-molecular-weight process impurities.

All wetted flow path components are fabricated from sanitary 316L stainless steel, paired with high-compatibility polymeric membrane media options comprising PES, PVDF and regenerated cellulose. The fluid circuit implements a low-dead-volume, low-shear sanitary layout fully compliant with ASME BPE design criteria and global GMP regulatory requirements. The skid integrates critical functional assemblies including high-grade sanitary feed pumps, high-precision pressure transmitters, calibrated flow sensors, interchangeable membrane cassettes/housings, automated backflush and cleaning subsystems, alongside a centralized process control architecture, collectively stabilizing hydrodynamic conditions and delivering consistent, predictable separation performance over extended campaign runs.

The platform supports independent modulation of transmembrane pressure and crossflow velocity, enabling targeted hydrodynamic optimisation to mitigate concentration polarisation and membrane fouling, minimising product loss and extending usable membrane service life. It accommodates fully recipe-automated execution of sequence steps including system priming, steady-state recirculation, backflush cycles and automated CIP routines, with continuous real-time acquisition and logging of key process parameters such as inlet and retentate pressure, crossflow rate and permeate flux. Built upon a modular, scalable framework, the system supports flexible membrane array configuration, readily scaling from laboratory and pilot scales (10 L – 100 L working volume) through to full commercial manufacturing scales (1000 L – 10,000 L working volume).

This versatile UF platform has established broad adoption within biopharmaceutical downstream processing for mAb concentration, recombinant protein diafiltration and viral vaccine clarification. It also serves food manufacturing workflows for dairy protein concentration and fruit juice polishing, as well as environmental process applications for targeted wastewater fractionation and recovery. As an inherently low-energy, solvent-free unit operation, it delivers a sustainable, efficient and regulatory-compliant separation alternative, safeguarding target product quality, reducing process variability and improving the overall economic profile of the manufacturing process.