Alfa Laval launches multipurpose membrane filtration system
Alfa Laval has launched the MultiSystem to counter current weakness of the pound, combined with the rising cost of energy putting pressure on stakeholders in the food and sectors to help manufacturers optimise processes and enhance flexibility in production lines.
MultiSystem – a cross-flow skid-mounted membrane filtration system that connects to both up and downstream operations – increases flexibility across a range of process applications, including the purification of proteins, sugar and starch, concentration of peptides and amino acid streams and recovery of water from condensates.
Ian Forrester, business unit manager for separation systems at Alfa Laval said the new membrane filtration system is a standardised offering rather than a bespoke one, which can prove not only costly, but time-consuming and difficult to integrate into wider processes.
“For this reason, we have developed our new MultiSystem as a standardised offering for food, beverage and pharmaceutical applications,” Forrester said. “The launch of the MultiSystem marks the completion of our lab and plant equipment range, meaning businesses of all shapes and sizes are now able to benefit from membrane filtration technology.”
As the largest of the lab and plant equipment range, the MultiSystem has a test processing capacity from 100l/h to 6m³/h, and testing volume ranging from 500l/h up to several m³.
The MultiSystem can test all filtration processes, including microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis in batch, semi-batch and continuous modes. Diafiltration mode is also available as standard.
The module is also compatible with Alfa Laval’s entire range of 8.0” spiral membranes, which can be quickly and easily interchanged, and features a PLC-based control system also enables automatic control of production sequences. This includes flow, VCF (volumetric concentration factor), temperature, tank level, pressure and diafiltration volume or ratio control.
Forrester added that the development process for the MultiSystem was undertaken with small and medium sized production lines in mind.
“The plant is capable of performing all of the key functions demanded of a filtration system, and can easily transition between these thanks its interchangeable membranes,” he continued. “Adopting a more flexible, standardised approach to the design of process equipment will allow manufacturers to diversify their offerings and increase efficiency without the need to invest in multiple pieces of technology, facilitating not only cost saving, but an improved workflow.”
