HengAo FB Series Solvent Filtration Units

Overview

The HengAo FB Series Solvent Filtration Units are precision-engineered vacuum-assisted filtration systems designed for rigorous laboratory environments in analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical quality control, and life sciences research. These units operate on the principle of pressure-driven membrane filtration under controlled vacuum conditions—typically −0.08 to −0.1 MPa—to achieve efficient particulate removal, solvent degassing, and microbial retention. Unlike gravity-based or syringe-driven alternatives, the FB Series integrates a robust borosilicate glass manifold with standardized ground-glass joints (ISO KF/ISO 228–1), enabling repeatable, leak-free assembly and compatibility with common laboratory vacuum sources (e.g., diaphragm or oil-sealed pumps). The system’s primary function is to prepare high-purity mobile phases for HPLC, UHPLC, and LC-MS applications—where sub-5 µm particle contamination can irreversibly damage analytical columns and compromise chromatographic resolution. Its integrated vacuum degassing capability also minimizes dissolved gas interference, reducing baseline noise and improving detector signal stability.

Key Features

• High-integrity borosilicate glass construction (Duran®-grade equivalent): uniform wall thickness, thermal shock resistance up to 270 °C, and excellent chemical compatibility with organic solvents (acetonitrile, methanol, THF), aqueous buffers, and dilute acids/bases.
• Standardized conical ground-glass joints (24/29 and 29/32) ensure mechanical interchangeability with vacuum flasks, filter holders, and stopcocks from major global suppliers.
• Dual-volume configurations: FB-01T (1000 mL receiving flask capacity) and FB-02T (2000 mL), both supporting inline pressure relief valves and vacuum gauge ports for process monitoring.
• Modular design accommodates interchangeable filter holders—including 47 mm and 90 mm diameter options—for use with cellulose acetate (CA), polyethersulfone (PES), nylon, and PVDF membranes (pore sizes: 0.22 µm, 0.45 µm, 1.0 µm).
• No internal metal components or elastomeric seals in fluid path—eliminating leachables and ensuring compliance with USP and ICH Q5C guidelines for solvent contact surfaces.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The FB Series supports filtration of a broad spectrum of solvents and solutions, including but not limited to: acetonitrile, methanol, isopropanol, water, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), Tris-HCl buffers, and diluted sodium hydroxide (≤0.1 M). It is routinely employed in laboratories adhering to GLP and GMP frameworks, where documentation of filtration parameters (e.g., batch number, membrane lot, vacuum level, duration) is required for audit readiness. While the unit itself is not certified to ISO 9001 or ISO 13485, its materials and dimensional conformity align with ASTM D854 (glassware specification) and ISO 3585 (borosilicate glass classification). For regulated workflows involving sterile filtration, users must pair the system with pre-sterilized, gamma-irradiated membranes validated per ISO 13408-1.

Software & Data Management

The HengAo FB Series is a standalone mechanical system with no embedded electronics or firmware; therefore, it does not include proprietary software or digital data logging. However, its design facilitates integration into documented laboratory processes: vacuum levels may be monitored using external analog or digital gauges (e.g., capacitance manometers traceable to NIST standards), and filtration time/steps can be recorded manually or within LIMS platforms such as LabWare or Thermo Fisher SampleManager. For 21 CFR Part 11 compliance, users implement procedural controls—including operator sign-offs, dated logbooks, and version-controlled SOPs—to ensure data integrity during solvent preparation workflows.

Applications

• HPLC/UHPLC mobile phase preparation: removal of sub-micron particles and dissolved gases prior to column injection.
• Pre-filtration of samples for atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis.
• Microbial retention testing using 0.22 µm membranes for sterility assurance in cell culture media or buffer formulation.
• Particle counting standardization: preparation of clean reference solvents for light obscuration or membrane microscopy assays (per USP ).
• Recovery studies in method validation: assessment of analyte loss across membrane types and pore sizes under defined vacuum profiles.

FAQ

What membrane pore sizes are compatible with the FB-01T and FB-02T units?
The units accept standard 47 mm and 90 mm diameter disc membranes—commonly 0.22 µm (sterilizing grade), 0.45 µm (general clarification), and 1.0 µm (pre-filtration)—depending on holder configuration.
Can the FB Series be used with aggressive solvents like chloroform or DMF?
Yes, provided the selected membrane material (e.g., PTFE or PVDF) and O-ring alternatives (e.g., FFKM) are chemically resistant; standard silicone gaskets are not recommended for halogenated or highly polar aprotic solvents.
Is the glassware supplied with calibration certification?
No—volumetric tolerance follows Class B specifications per ISO 1042; users requiring Class A traceability must arrange third-party calibration.
Does HengAo provide validation support documents (DQ/IQ/OQ)?
Factory documentation includes dimensional drawings, material certificates (CoC), and assembly instructions; full validation protocols must be developed in-house per user-specific regulatory requirements.