Hollow Fiber Filters for Biopharmaceutical Applications
Streamlining Bioprocesses With High-Performance Tangential Flow Filtration
Sartorius' hollow fiber tangential flow filtration (TFF) filters are designed to deliver efficiency with easy integration, secure operation, and gentle processing. Our innovative design features macro-void-free membranes and a linear flow path that ensures smooth, optimal separation while protecting shear-sensitive products. With versatile options in 11 sizes and 13 pore sizes, Sartorius offers reliable and scalable filtration for ultrafiltration and diafiltration needs.
Hollow Fiber TFF Portfolio
Single-Use & Reusable Hollow Fiber TFF Filters
Ultra- and Microfiltration Solutions in Self-Contained Units
Our hollow fiber TFF portfolio is tailored to meet the needs of biotechnology applications. We offer a broad range of membranes, from microfilters with pore sizes of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.45 µm to ultrafilters with molecular weight cut-offs (MWCOs) ranging from 750 kDa to 3 kDa.
Choose from ready-to-use formats, easy-to-integrate modules, secure closed-system operation, or cleanable, reusable variants, all delivered gamma-irradiated. The innovative design features macro-void-free fibers and open channel flow paths, ensuring effective performance and protecting shear-sensitive products. The portfolio includes 11 sizes, 3 lengths, and 13 pore sizes | MWCOs.
| Single-Use Line | Re-Use Line | Flow Assemblies | |
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| Description | Hollow fiber filters in self-contained units | Cleanable, sanitizable, hollow fiber filters in self-contained units | Engineered single-use assemblies with hollow fiber filters |
| Filter area (ultrafilter) | 17 cm2 to 15 m2 | 52 cm2 to 15m2 | 17 cm2 to 15 m2 |
| Filter area (microfilter) | 17 cm2 to 5 m2 | 52 cm2 to 5m2 | 17 cm2 to 5 m2 |
| Features and typical applications |
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| View Product | View Product | Consult Our Experts |
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Related Assets
Protect Shear-Sensitive Molecules with Glycerol-Free Hollow Fiber TFF
Sartorius offers robust hollow fiber TFF modules with in-house–produced membranes that excel in crossflow applications. Their open-channel design minimizes shear stress, making them ideal for ultrafiltration, diafiltration, and other TFF processes, preserving shear-sensitive molecules even in high-viscosity solutions.
Our hollow fiber modules efficiently process high biomass, such as microbial harvests, saving valuable facility time. Available in multiple scales as self-contained modules, they minimize cross-contamination risks and deliver high recovery rates with tailored membrane cut-offs.
- Choose from over 900 variants designed to meet your process requirements
- Experience the unique benefit of our glycerol- and humectant-free, single-use hollow fiber membranes
Frequently Asked Questions
Hollow fiber ultrafiltration is a filtration technology that uses tube-like membranes to separate and concentrate macromolecules. The high surface area of the membranes allows for efficient filtration, retaining larger molecules while allowing smaller ones to pass through. This method is ideal for applications in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and food processing due to its high throughput and minimal fouling.
Hollow fiber ultrafiltration offers high efficiency, scalability, and adaptability, making it suitable for both small- and large-scale applications. It is trusted for providing reliable, high-purity separations with minimal fouling, ensuring smooth operation and excellent performance across a range of industries.
- Membrane Selection: Choose ultrafiltration membranes with a molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) that is 3 to 5 times smaller than the target molecule’s molecular weight for optimal performance.
- Fiber Selection: For standard protein solutions, use smaller lumen fibers (0.5 mm). For viscous or cold processing, opt for larger lumen fibers (1.0 mm) to better manage pressure.
To optimize pressure and module length, it's important to consider the viscosity of the upstream and downstream materials.
- Upstream Processing (Cell Harvest and Clarification): Upstream materials typically have higher viscosity, leading to higher pressure drops over longer flow paths. For optimal performance, use shorter cartridges (12” or 24”) to manage pressure more effectively and maintain constant feed pressure. This helps prevent a reduction in transmembrane pressure (TMP), which could impact filtration efficiency.
- Downstream Processing: Downstream materials have lower viscosity, which results in lower pressure drops. For downstream filtration, longer cartridges (24” or 41”) are ideal, as the lower viscosity allows for higher transmembrane pressures, benefiting the clarified processing and improving overall filtration efficiency.
For scale-up, maintain a consistent flow path length by increasing the module diameter and | or fiber count. This ensures efficient filtration while expanding the surface area required for larger volumes, making the solution adaptable to both small-scale and large-scale operations.