3M BNA Specifications

3M Purification Inc.

LifeASSURE™ BNA045 & BNA065 Series

Filter Cartridges for Beverage Microbiological Stability

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LifeASSURE™ BNA Series Filter Cartridges

Filter Cartridges for Beverage Microbiological Stability

Controlling the spoilage microorganism population prior to bottling is critical for many beverage processors. Eliminating these

microorganisms, while keeping other beverage properties unchanged, is of vital importance. Of equal importance, however, is attaining

long on-stream filter cartridge service life and driving down operating costs associated with filtration.

3M Purification Inc. has solved this demanding problem with the creation of the LifeASSURE™ BNA

series of filter cartridges. LifeASSURE BNA filter cartridges encompass leading-edge technologies that

not only provide the highest degree of microorganism control, but do so in an extremely durable and

long-lasting design.

LifeASSURE BNA filter cartridges employ a highly-asymmetric polyether sulfone (PES) membrane

that delivers excellent spoilage microorganism retention while greatly minimizing any organoleptic

interference. This highly durable membrane/cartridge design withstands repeated exposure to hot

water sanitation and steam sterilization as well as common chemical cleaning and sanitizing agents.

Complementing this high-performance membrane are 3M Purification Inc.’s Advanced Pleat

Technology (APT) design and an upstream and downstream support design. All three work in

concert to provide an increased flow rate at a lower pressure drop, resulting in smaller

filter cartridge assemblies with extended service life and a lower overall operational

costs.

Features Benefits

Highly asymmetric PES membrane

High spoilage organism retention

Advanced Pleat Technology (APT)

Novel upstream/downstream supports

Broad chemical compatibility Stable with most cleaning and sanitation regimes

Meets requirements for food contact

Longer service life than competitive filter cartridges
Lower operating costs than competitive filter cartridges
Reliable microbiological control
Performance matched to industry standards
Increased accessible surface area
Longer service life than competitive filter cartridges
Lower operating costs than competitive filter cartridges
Increased flow per cartridge
Reduced housing costs

Complies with requirements of the Pure Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act for food contact

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES

Highly Asymmetric PES Membrane

LifeASSURE BNA filter cartridges incorporate a novel PES membrane with a high degree of

asymmetry (Figure 1). When viewed in cross-section, the membrane contains larger pores on

the upstream surface that gradually taper to smaller pores towards the downstream surface.

Compared to conventional membranes with a symmetric pore structure, this structure provides

greater contaminant capacity, since it presents greater open spaces (void volume) in which

to retain these contaminants. This increase in capacity leads directly to longer service life. In

addition, the asymmetric structure provides less resistance to flow, resulting in a lower pressure

drop when compared at a constant flow rate to competitive filter cartridges, allowing a user to

employ fewer LifeASSURE BNA filter cartridges for any given flow rate.

FLOW

Figure 1. LifeASSURE BNA SEM

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