E-PAK Cartridges
An Innovative Solution for Fixed-Bed Large-Scale Purification
E-PAK products are radial flow adsorption cartridges developed specifically for pharmaceutical processing.
Created with proprietary technology E-PAK cartridge products provide rapid adsorption kinetics at flow rates and processing capacities suitable for laboratory, pilot and commercial operations.
E-PAK cartridges are designed for use with organic and aqueous solvents and incorporate design features useful for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufactured in explosion proof environments.
E-PAK cartridges are available in a range of sizes and formulas (Ecosorb C-Series carbon formulas & custom, and SiliaMetS Metal Scavenger) to accommodate the broad range of processing requirements encountered over the API development cycle.
Features and Benefits
- Proven cartridge design ensures rapid, simple & reliable technology for metal & organic impurities removal
- Eliminates the use of insoluble particulates in reactors
- Available with SiliaMetS Metal Scavengers and three grades of activated carbon
- Various sizes available for easy scale-up from lab to industrial scale
- Large adsorbent capacity in small area footprint increases product recovery and reduces solvent requirements
- Extended flow path provides increased contact time and better adsorption performance
Adsorbent Cartridges versus Loose Media
Filtration and chromatography products converted to incorporate activated carbon or silica gel have provided handling and safety improvements for pilot scale use but done little to address the practical requirements of large-scale processing.
Graver Technologies, producer of Ecosorb® Products, and SiliCycle, producer of SiliaMetS Metal Scavengers, both recognized the need for a better way to use activated carbon and silica gel products at the bench, in pilot & kilo labs and commercial operations.
The result is a new family of cartridge adsorbent products we believe will improve and expand the use of adsorption processing.
Applications
Uses for E-PAK cartridges include the removal and recovery of precious metal catalysts, reaction-by-products and color from synthetic reaction mixtures and natural products.
Compared to loose media, pre-packed columns and stacked disc filters, E-PAK products provide:
- High adsorption capacity and flow rate,
- Increased product recovery,
- Safe use: friendly handling, clean-up and disposal.
Chemical Compatibility
E-PAK cartridges are formed using a proprietary technology and chemically stable materials in common organic solvents.
E-PAK cartridges have been tested and found satisfactory for use with the following commonly used solvents:
- Methanol
- Dichloromethane
- Ethyl acetate
- Tetrahydrofuran
- Toluene
- N-ethyl-2-pyrolidone
E-PAK cartridges are suitable for operation at pH of 1 to 13 for activated carbon and 2 to 12 for silica-based products.
Flow & Hydraulic Pressure Drop
Cartridges provide rapid kinetics at flow rates and contact times suitable for single pass operation. The chart below shows typical flow rates and pressure drop performance for Lab, Pilot and Commercial Scale Cartridges.
| Cartridge Size (diameter x height) |
Minimum Flow Rate | Maximum Flow Rate | Pressure Drop ΔP (Psig) with w/1 cps Fluid |
| 5 x 1 cm (Lab) | 5 mL/min | 100 mL/min | ≤ 7.5 psig |
| 5 x 10 cm (Lab) | 50 mL/min | 500 mL/min | ≤ 5 psig |
| 5 x 25 cm (Lab) | 125 mL/min | 1 L/min | ≤ 5 psig |
| 16.5 x 12.5 cm (Pilot) | 0.95 L/min | 2.5 L/min | ≤ 10 psig |
| 16.5 x 25 cm (Pilot) | 1.9 L/min | 5 L/min | ≤ 10 psig |
| 16.5 x 50 cm (Commercial) | 3.8 L/min | 10 L/min | ≤ 10 psig |
| 16.5 x 100 cm (Commercial) | 7.6 L/min | 20 L/min | ≤ 10 psig |
Quality and Regulatory
E-PAK cartridges are manufactured under ISO 9001, GMP manufacturing operations in Glasgow, DE (U.S.A.).
Drug Master File registrations are in progress.
Handling and Safety
Initial solvent wetting of E-PAK cartridges will produce heat; a risk assessment with the use with low vapor pressure solvents is recommended.
The adsorbent matrix in E-PAK cartridges is electrically conductive. E-PAK cartridges filter housings and retrofit kits provide a connection between the adsorbent matrix and the filter cartridge housing. A risk assessment of electrical discharge in explosion proof environments is recommended.
- scavengers@silicycle.com
- Phone: +1 418.874.0054
- Toll Free: +1 877.745.4292 (North America only)
