Graded-Porosity Media
The filtration medium combines more open and finer regions to distribute particulate loading through the filter material.
Polypropylene Capsule Filter – Absolute Rated | 0.3–50 µm
Filtra International supplies absolute-rated polypropylene capsule filters for clarification, particle removal and prefiltration of compatible process liquids. The filter uses pleated polypropylene media with graded porosity inside a self-contained disposable capsule.
The Filtra PP capsule range covers filtration ratings from 0.3 to 50 µm, making it suitable for a broad variety of fine- and coarse-particle filtration duties. Standard selectable capsule lengths are 2.5", 5" and 10".
The pleated filtration structure offers a large effective filtration surface, while the graded media construction is designed to capture particles through different regions of the filter material. This can support contaminant-holding capacity and efficient use of the available media.
Filter media
Polypropylene (PP)
Filtration classification
Absolute Rated
Micron ratings
0.3–50 µm
10-inch reference area
5,000 cm²
PP Capsule Filter – Technical Specifications
| Filter type | Disposable pleated polypropylene capsule filter |
|---|---|
| Filtra filtration classification | Absolute Rated |
| Filter medium | Graded-porosity pleated polypropylene |
| Available filtration ratings | 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10, 20, 30 and 50 µm |
| Filtra selectable capsule lengths | 2.5", 5" and 10" |
| Reference filtration area | 5,000 cm² (0.5 m²) for the 10" configuration |
| Filter media support | Polypropylene |
| End caps | Polypropylene |
| Inner core | Polypropylene |
| Outer cage | Polypropylene |
| Process connections | 1.5" Tri-Clamp, 0.5" Tri-Clamp, 1/2" Hose Barb, 3/4" Hose Barb or 1/2" NPT Male |
| Vent and drain options | Stäubli-type connection or Hose Barb |
| Minimum burst pressure | 8.5 barg (not the permissible operating pressure) |
| Documented autoclaving | Up to 25 cycles at 125 °C for 30 minutes, subject to the applicable procedure |
| Steam-in-place (SIP) | Not permitted for this capsule construction |
Technical selection note: the 5,000 cm² filtration area applies to the documented 10" capsule configuration. The maximum operating pressure, temperature and allowable differential pressure must be confirmed for the exact filter and operating conditions. Where quantified absolute particle retention is required, request the corresponding efficiency specification or retention-test documentation.
How Does a Pleated PP Capsule Filter Work?
Contaminated liquid enters the capsule through the selected inlet connection and passes through the pleated polypropylene filtration medium. Suspended particles are retained as the liquid travels through the graded filtration structure.
The pleated configuration increases the available filtration surface within the capsule, while the graded porosity helps distribute particle loading rather than concentrating all contamination at one location.
Filtered liquid exits through the outlet connection. The complete filter is replaced as a disposable enclosed capsule, removing the need to open a separate cartridge-filter housing.
Advantages of Polypropylene Capsule Filtration
Pleated Filter Construction
The pleated media provides a large filtration surface in a compact, disposable capsule assembly.
Broad Micron Selection
Filtra offers ratings from 0.3 to 50 µm for different clarification, particle-reduction and upstream filtration requirements.
Absolute-Rated PP Capsules from 0.3 to 50 Micron
Different filtration ratings are selected according to the size and quantity of suspended particles, the required downstream cleanliness and the acceptable pressure drop.
0.3–1.0 µm
Fine polypropylene filtration ratings for applications where smaller suspended particles must be reduced before subsequent process steps.
3–10 µm
Intermediate filtration ratings for general clarification, process-liquid filtration and upstream protection of finer filtration stages.
20–50 µm
Coarser filtration ratings for larger particles, process-liquid clarification and the reduction of particulate load before downstream equipment.
Available ratings: 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10, 20, 30 and 50 µm.
For applications specifying a particular absolute removal efficiency, the relevant test standard, particle size and efficiency requirement should be confirmed for the selected grade.
PP Capsule Filters for Prefiltration
Polypropylene capsule filters can be installed upstream of finer membrane-filtration stages to reduce suspended particulate loading before the liquid reaches a more sensitive final filter.
Depending on the application, a PP prefilter can be evaluated upstream of PES, PVDF, PTFE or other fine membrane filters. The appropriate sequence depends on the liquid composition, particle-size distribution and required final retention.
Prefilter selection should consider both the desired particle removal and the effect of contamination loading on pressure drop and total process throughput.
Typical Applications
- Industrial process-water filtration
- Clarification of compatible aqueous process liquids
- Prefiltration before fine membrane filters
- Particle removal in bulk chemical processing
- Filtration of compatible pharmaceutical intermediates
- Cosmetic and personal-care manufacturing
- Parts-cleaning and suitable cleaning solutions
- Filtration of compatible inks and process fluids
- Protection of downstream filtration equipment
- Laboratory, pilot-plant and small-batch filtration
Chemical compatibility must be evaluated for the complete polypropylene filter assembly. Suitability for a particular solvent, chemical concentration or process temperature must not be assumed solely from the selected filtration rating.
PP Capsule Filter Connection Options
Filtra offers the standard polypropylene capsule range with several process-connection options for integration into compatible liquid-filtration systems.
| Sanitary connections | 1.5" Tri-Clamp and 0.5" Tri-Clamp |
|---|---|
| Hose-barb connections | 1/2" Hose Barb and 3/4" Hose Barb |
| Threaded connection | 1/2" NPT Male |
| Vent and drain | Stäubli-type quick connection or Hose Barb |
Connection availability: fitting combinations and vent/drain configurations should be confirmed against the selected capsule length and installation.
Available PP Capsule Lengths
Filtra International offers the following standard capsule lengths for this PP range: 2.5", 5" and 10".
Capsule length affects filtration area, flow capacity, differential pressure and contaminant capacity. The supplier's 5,000 cm² reference area applies specifically to the 10" capsule and must not be assumed for the smaller sizes.
Flow Rate and Pressure Drop
The technical literature provides reference liquid-flow performance for the 10" polypropylene capsule format with a 1.5" Tri-Clamp connection. Flow and differential pressure depend on the selected filtration rating.
Real operating performance also depends on liquid viscosity, temperature, contamination loading, capsule size and the selected fittings. Reference curves should not be used without considering these process conditions.
Autoclaving, Sanitisation and SIP Restrictions
The supplier documents autoclaving capability of up to 25 cycles at 125 °C for 30 minutes for the described PP capsule construction.
The source also describes chemical sanitisation and limited hot-water sanitisation at up to 90 °C, depending on exposure time and the applicable procedure.
Important: the documented PP capsules must not be steam-sterilized in situ. Autoclaving capability does not mean steam-in-place compatibility. Sanitisation methods and limits must be confirmed for the actual selected configuration.
Materials, Biological Safety and Quality
The source technical documentation reports the following characteristics for its polypropylene capsule construction. Application-specific declarations should be confirmed for the supplied filter.
Polypropylene Construction
PP filtration media, media support,
end caps, inner core and outer cage.
USP Class VI
The technical literature reports
biological-safety compliance of
materials to USP Class VI at 121 °C.
Food-Contact Materials
The supplier reports applicable
material compliance with FDA 21 CFR
and EU Regulation 10/2011.
Where regulatory documentation or a defined absolute filtration efficiency is required, confirm the relevant declarations and retention-test data for the specific micron rating and product configuration.
How to Select an Absolute-Rated PP Capsule Filter
For correct filter sizing and selection, consider the complete filtration duty:
- Required filtration rating, from 0.3 to 50 µm
- Target particle-removal efficiency
- Liquid composition and chemical compatibility
- Flow rate and total batch volume
- Temperature and maximum operating pressure
- Expected suspended solids and contaminant loading
- Allowable initial and final differential pressure
- Capsule length: 2.5", 5" or 10"
- Required process connections
- Vent, drain and sanitisation requirements
- Application-specific quality documentation
Need Help Selecting a PP Capsule Filter?
Send Filtra International your micron rating, process liquid, flow rate, batch volume, required particle retention and connection requirements. We can help determine an appropriate capsule configuration for the intended filtration duty.
Polypropylene Absolute Capsule Filter – FAQ
What is a polypropylene capsule filter?
A polypropylene capsule filter is a self-contained disposable filtration device containing PP filtration media within a polymer capsule assembly. It is used for particulate removal and clarification of compatible liquids.
Which PP capsule filtration ratings are available?
The Filtra range covers 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10, 20, 30 and 50 µm.
Are these PP capsules absolute rated?
Filtra International offers this capsule range as absolute rated. Where a project requires a specific removal efficiency or beta ratio, the corresponding retention specification should be confirmed for the selected filtration rating.
Can PP capsules be used for prefiltration?
Yes. They can be evaluated for particle reduction upstream of finer membrane filters and other sensitive process equipment.
What capsule lengths does Filtra offer?
Standard selectable lengths are 2.5", 5" and 10".
What is the filtration area of the 10-inch capsule?
The documented 10" configuration has a reference filtration area of 5,000 cm² (0.5 m²). Other lengths have different filtration areas.
Can polypropylene capsule filters be autoclaved?
The technical literature describes autoclaving for up to 25 cycles at 125 °C for 30 minutes for the specified capsule construction. Confirm the procedure for the selected filter.
Can these PP capsules be sterilized by SIP?
No. The source technical documentation explicitly excludes in-situ steam sterilisation for this capsule construction.