Shelco FAS & FAC Series Single-Cartridge Filter Housings

Overview

The Shelco FAS and FAC Series single-cartridge filter housings are engineered for reliable, high-integrity fluid filtration across demanding industrial and regulated life science applications. Designed around the proven principles of surface and depth filtration, these housings accommodate standard-length (10″, 20″, 30″, or 40″) cylindrical filter cartridges—including pleated polypropylene, PTFE, nylon, cellulose acetate, and sanitary-grade membrane elements—enabling precise particle retention from coarse pre-filtration (≥50 µm) to sterile-grade microfiltration (0.1–0.22 µm). Their robust mechanical architecture supports continuous operation under elevated pressure and temperature conditions, making them suitable for upstream bioprocessing, buffer preparation, final fill line polishing, and high-purity solvent recovery in pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing environments.

Key Features

• Heavy-duty construction using electropolished 304L or 316L stainless steel housings—certified per ASTM A240/A480 for corrosion resistance and cleanability in GMP-compliant facilities
• Modular head design with nickel-plated brass or cast iron variants; all wetted surfaces fully traceable and documented for material compliance (EN 10204 3.1)
• Knife-edge sealing mechanism ensures positive, repeatable gasket compression for dual-open cartridges—eliminating bypass risk during high-flow or pulsating service
• Bolt-and-nut closure system with optional ergonomic T-handle hardware enables rapid, tool-free cartridge replacement without disassembling piping connections
• Multiple inlet/outlet configurations including NPT, ANSI/ISO flanged, sanitary Tri-Clamp (TC), and BSP threads—facilitating integration into existing skid-mounted or inline process trains
• FDA-compliant polymer housing variants available for aggressive chemical streams where metallic compatibility is limited—validated per USP <661.1> and ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity testing

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

These housings are validated for use with aqueous, organic, and mixed-phase process streams common in biomanufacturing, including cell culture media, harvest supernatants, chromatography eluents, and terminal sterilizing-grade buffers. All metallic components meet ASME BPE-2022 surface finish requirements (Ra ≤ 0.8 µm for product-contact surfaces). The bolted closure design complies with PED 2014/68/EU Category II pressure equipment directives when installed within certified piping systems. Documentation packages include material test reports (MTRs), weld procedure specifications (WPS), and cleaning validation support data aligned with ICH Q5A and EU Annex 1 expectations for aseptic processing.

Software & Data Management

While the FAS/FAC series is a passive mechanical filtration platform, it integrates seamlessly with facility-wide monitoring systems via standardized 4–20 mA pressure differential transmitters (optional add-on) and digital flow meters. When deployed in automated bioprocess lines, housing pressure drop trends can be logged into SCADA or MES platforms (e.g., Siemens Desigo, Rockwell FactoryTalk, or DeltaV) for real-time integrity assessment and predictive maintenance scheduling. For regulatory submissions, Shelco provides comprehensive DQ/IQ/OQ documentation templates compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 electronic record requirements—supporting audit readiness for GLP, GMP, and ISO 13485 quality systems.

Applications

• Pre-filtration of cell culture harvests prior to depth filtration or tangential flow ultrafiltration (TFF)
• Final polishing of purified monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and recombinant proteins using 0.22 µm sterilizing-grade membranes
• Removal of particulates and aggregates from vaccine formulations and viral vector suspensions
• Protection of sensitive downstream analytical instruments (e.g., HPLC autosamplers, mass spectrometry inlets) from particulate ingress
• Recirculation loop filtration in clean steam generation and purified water (PW) distribution systems
• Continuous removal of catalyst fines and degradation byproducts in fine chemical synthesis reactors

FAQ

What cartridge dimensions are supported by the FAS/FAC housings?
Standard lengths of 10″, 20″, 30″, and 40″ with nominal diameters of 2.75″ (70 mm) or 4.5″ (114 mm)—compatible with industry-standard ASME B16.34 and ISO 8503-2 dimensional tolerances.
Can these housings be validated for steam-in-place (SIP) cycles?
Yes—316L stainless steel variants with EPDM or silicone gaskets are rated for repeated SIP at 121°C for 30 minutes; full thermal cycle validation protocols are available upon request.
Is third-party certification available for pharmaceutical use?
Shelco provides optional IQ/OQ execution support and can supply vendor-qualified materials dossiers aligned with ICH Q7 and EU GMP Annex 15 for qualification under client-controlled change control systems.
What is the maximum allowable differential pressure across the cartridge?
Maximum recommended ΔP is 60 PSI (4.1 bar) at operating temperature; sustained operation above this threshold may compromise seal integrity and cartridge structural stability.
Do you offer custom porting or sanitary tri-clamp configurations?
Yes—custom inlet/outlet orientations, extended flange drilling patterns, and fully polished TC end fittings (per ASME BPE-2022) are available as factory-engineered options with lead-time adjustment.