Monolithic and Membrane Ceramic Filters
Refractron Technologies Corp. is the world's leader in the design and manufacture of advanced porous ceramics. Refractron manufactures a full range of monolithic and membrane ceramic filter media in a variety of shapes, styles and graphics.
Our proprietary manufacturing process yields porosities up to 50% in a strong uniform structure to meet the needs of the most demanding filter application. Pore sizes are available from 0.25 micron (membrane) up to 800 micron (monolithic) and the aluminum oxide material can withstand temperatures up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit and maximum differential pressures over 500 psi. Standard tubular filter elements (2.5" OD x 1.75" ID) are available to interchange with most common ten-inch cartridge filters and housings. Custom engineered sizes, shapes and fittings are also available.
The thermo-chemical properties and durability make these ceramic filters well-suited for a wide range of applications including pharmaceutical, chemical, biomedical, semiconductor, food and beverage. Refractron's porous ceramic filters aren't for every application. Just the tough ones!
Monolithic Ceramic Filters
Ceramic filters offer significant advantages over other depth filter types. The filters have up to 50% void volume, this added to the thickness means they can capture and retain significantly more particles than either plastic or metal media.
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FEATURES
BENEFITS
APPLICATIONS
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Membrane Ceramic Filters
Thin, durable, fine pore membrane layer integrally bonded to the intermediate grade substrate
Membrane ceramic media consists of a thin layer of fine ceramic particles bonded to a support structure. The fine ceramic layer performs the filtration duty while the support structure provides mechanical strength. These filters have high filtration efficiencies with low pressure drops. They are an ideal replacement for metal or polymer surface filters where absolute filtration is required.
These fine pore filters do not exhibit media migration or unloading and are available with membranes applied internally or externally.
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FEATURES
BENEFITS
APPLICATIONS
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| Porous Ceramic Filter Type/ Grade | Removal Ratings¹ (Retention in Microns) |
Clean Pressure Drop² |
Recommended³ Flow Rate |
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Water 98% Nominal |
Air 99% |
Water psi/gpm/ft² |
Air psi/acfm/ft² |
Water gpm/ft² |
Air acfm/ft² |
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Monolithic |
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| AF6 | 6 |
0.8 |
3.5 |
0.18 |
0.1-2 |
1-20 |
| AF15 | 15 |
2 |
0.5 |
0.06 |
0.5-4 |
3-25 |
| AF26 | 26 |
3 |
0.2 |
0.025 |
1-5 |
5-30 |
| AF35 | 35 |
4 |
0.15 |
0.02 |
2-8 |
10-40 |
| AF50 | 50 |
6 |
0.1 |
0.015 |
2-10 |
10-50 |
| AF60 | 60 |
8 |
0.09 |
0.012 |
3-12 |
12-60 |
| AF90 | 90 |
11 |
0.05 |
0.009 |
3-12 |
15-19 |
| Membrane | ||||||
| MeAFO .25 | .25 |
0.03 |
30 |
1.1 |
0.1-1 |
0.5-5 |
| MeAF1 | 1 |
0.1 |
20 |
0.12 |
.1-2 |
0.5-10 |
| MeAF3 | 3 |
0.4 |
10 |
0.028 |
0.2-4 |
1-15 |
| MeAF6 | 6 |
0.8 |
2 |
0.015 |
0.2-5 |
1-20 |
1. Removal ratings are for reference only. 1 micron = 0.00039"
2. Clean pressure drop for reference only. Based on bench scale test using a 60-40-250 element. Approximate area per 10" long section is 0.5 sq. ft.
3. Recommended flow rates are guidelines only. Each Application may be different.
Specifications for Refractron Porous Ceramic Filters
Porous ceramic filters are used for:
Pre-filtration
- Hot gas filtration
- Solids recovery
- Solvent filtration
- Backwash filters
- Pre-coat filters
- Coalescing
- Gas filters
- Catalyst recovery
- Pre-coat filters
- Corrosive fluids
Applications
Porous ceramic filters are used for solid particulate removal in liquid and gas applications in chemical process, petrochemical, semiconductor, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical markets.
Material
These rugged, specialty, porous ceramic diffusers are manufactured by fusing aluminum oxide grains using a porcelain bond to form a strong, uniformly porous and homogeneous structure. For more corrosive applications, silicon carbide materials are available.
Styles/Shapes
Cartridge: 2-3/8" OD in 10", 20", 30", and 40" lengths
Tubular: 1/2", 3/4", 1 1/2", 2 1/2", 4 1/4"
Diameters up to 48" Long
Plates: 12" Square x 1" Thick, 8" x 12" x up to 1 1/2" Thick
Discs: 2" OD x 1/4" Thick, 4" OD x 1/2" Thick, 7" OD x 1/2" Thick, 9" OD x 3/4" Thick
Other custom shapes available on request.
Porosity
40-50% (active pores)
Nominal Micron Grades
- Monolith Grades AF 6 microns to AF 90 microns
- Membrane Grades MeAF0.25 microns to MeAF6 microns
- Custom grades available upon request
Flow Rates
0.5 to 700 SCFM per square foot of area (gas)
0.1 to 12 GPM per square foot of area (water)
Maximum Temperature
Up to 1400° F for porous ceramic, limited only by sealants, gaskets and/or fitting and housing materials.
Corrosion Resistance
Porous ceramics resistant to most acids, except for Hydrofluoric Acid and Phosphoric Acid. In alkaline solutions, porous ceramics are resistant up to pH9. It is also resistant to organic solvents. The sealants, gaskets and/or fitting materials may be the limiting factor in certain fluids.
Cleanability
Porous ceramic is cleanable by a variety of methods, depending on type of contaminant to be removed. Methods include spraying, brushing, backwashing, oven firing, dilute acid cleaning, solvent cleaning, steam cleaning and ultrasonic cleaning.
Flexural Strength (M.O.R.)
1500 psi
Max. Pressure
Up to 500 psi (outside to inside)
Thermal Expansion (C.T.E.)
7 x 10-6/ °C
Fittings
The basic tube is open on both (DOE = Double Open End). A 3/4" NPT 316 stainless steel fitting may be used on the 2 3/8" OD tube mounted on the fitting using a tie rod, plate, nut and gasket (Neoprene, Viton, Teflon). Other fittings available on request, including flanges.
Order Information
Typical part number is AF90, 60-40-250, 31655, Viton
AF or MeAF = Alumina or Membrane
90 = Pore size of 90 microns
60 = OD in mm (2 3/8" OD)
40 = ID in mm (1 3/8" OD)
250 = Length in mm (10" lg)
316SS Viton = 316SS filter w/viton gasket
Contact the factory for additional details and help selecting the required product.
Other Refraction Technologies Corporation Capabilities
Porous ceramics can be used for a variety of applications where a uniform, controlled porosity is required. In addition, the material can withstand high temperature and corrosive applications. Refraction manufactures porous ceramic parts used in diffusers/spargers, ink pads, liquid dispersion rolls, adsorbent filters, dryer cores, plus other engineered components.
Contact us with your requirements. See our website: www.refractron.com.