FAQ | Sani Membranes

get your questions answered

Our Vibro^® Membrane Filtration (VMF) technology is unique in the way it uses vibrations instead of pumps to create targeted turbulence, as well as its unmatched performance regarding transmission, shear, concentration and energy consumption.

This can understandably lead to questions, so we created these FAQs to answer to the most common of them.

Technology

How does the Vibro^® technology differ from conventional cross-flow filtration methods?

What are the key benefits of using Vibro^® technology in membrane filtration?

In what ways does Vibro^® technology improve microfiltration and ultrafiltration processes?

Why is energy efficiency cited as a significant advantage of Vibro^® membrane filtration systems?

Is it possible to recover the membranes by CIP and sanitize the unit?

Can I use my existing TFF process control system for Vibro^® filtration?

How low should my TMP be for ideal product transmission?

This depends on the product. However, with Vibro® filtration, optimal product transmission is typically not achieved by directly controlling the transmembrane pressure (TMP), but rather by controlling the permeate flux.

The resulting optimal TMP is often significantly lower than what is typically required or achievable with other membrane filtration technologies. In practice, the TMP can be very low, but it should never be zero or negative since it may compromise the membrane integrity.

Vibrations

What impact do the vibrations have on my building and work environment?

Does the use of vibration in VMF affect the quality and stability of sensitive biological products?

Service, Maintenance & Support

Is it possible to try out the Vibro^® technology?

What technical support and training are provided?

How long does the filter last?

The lifetime of a membrane filter cartridge depends on several operational and process-related factors, including, but not limited to:

Operating conditions: pressure, flow rate, and temperature
Feed composition: pH, temperature, and chemical composition of the process media
Membrane characteristics: polymer type and MWCO/pore size
Cleaning regime (CIP): frequency, duration, chemical composition, temperature, and pH
Storage conditions: storage solution, temperature, and handling practices

We recommend customers to change the filters once a year and to further secure your peace of mind with the Sani Service Concept.

Does Sani Membranes provide a service concept?

Yes, Sani Membranes offers a tailored service concept designed to match each customer’s specific process and application.

Our approach includes an extended warranty, scheduled filter supply, and a strong focus on maximizing uptime. We understand how critical a reliable process is to avoid loss of valuable time or media, and we work proactively to keep your operations running smoothly.

How easy is it to install and/or operate Vibro^® units?

application

Is the system compliant with FDA, GMP or other regulatory standards?

Which membrane/pore size/MWCO should I use for my application?

Can VMF be integrated into continuous or batch processes?

Can I use Vibro^® filtration for single-pass TFF (SPTFF)?

Can VMF be used in both upstream and downstream filtration?

Yes, the potential uses of Vibro^® Membrane Filtration (VMF) are many:

For upstream processes, VMF is highly relevant as a cell retention device in seed train intensification, and for perfusion processes in mammalian as well as microbial cell cultures.
For harvest applications, whether considered up-, mid- or downstream, VMF has potential for simplifying the process, and delivering high product yields with minimum cell damage, reducing the purification burden of the DSP steps.
In downstream processes, VMF provides efficient and gentle concentration & buffer exchange without product aggregation due to the gentle processing.

Can using Vibro^® filtration reduce my mAbs downstream process cost?

Yes indeed, and in more than one way:

VMF clarifies mammalian cultures directly from the bioreactor in a single step.
VMF’s low, uniform TMP and high product transmission result in a high step yield.
The clarified broth contains less HCP and host cell DNA compared to conventional TFF due to minimal cell damage.
Protein A column capacity can be increased by concentrating the clarified broth on a UF Vibro^® membrane.

The result is a simplified, gentle and efficient process that significantly reduces the cost of mAbs purification.

What if my process requirements exceed the largest unit?

What are the footprint requirements for VMF?

Our Vibro^® units are designed to be as compact as possible, enabling production even in space-constrained facilities. Our 2.5 – 10 m² industrial Vibro^® units are equipped with wheels, making them mobile and providing you with flexibility in your bioprocessing setup. Our larger units are available in movable configurations as well.

Beyond that, our technology can drive production space optimization in several ways:

Smaller feed system: Pumps, piping and instrumentation is greatly reduced due to the low flow requirements of the technology – compared to conventional TFF systems.
No cooling needed: The heat dissipation to the processed medium is minimal reducing or – more often – eliminating the requirement for cooling.
Fewer process steps: VMF can replace or eliminate several process steps, such as centrifugation, depth filtration or pre-clarification. It also has the potential to be used for single-pass processing (inline concentration). This simplifies your process and minimizes overall space requirements.

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