Our sterile bubble traps originated with a request from a customer who could not find a bubble trap suitable for a hygienic pharmaceutical process. Many processes use chromatography that results in by-product gas that must be removed. Our trap provides a sterile, crevice-free, self-draining means of removing unwanted gas and bubbles from process fluids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of a bubble trap?
The purpose of a bubble trap is to efficiently remove unwanted gas or air bubbles from process fluids. These traps are particularly important in applications like downstream biopharmaceutical purification processes. By separating gas bubbles from the fluid, bubble traps help achieve higher concentrations of process fluids while preventing issues such as product contamination, operational errors, reduced efficiency and biological reactor issues.
Hygienic bubble traps are designed to be crevice-free and self-draining, ensuring that harmful bacteria do not accumulate, making them ideal for sterile or sanitary operations.
How does a bubble trap work?
A bubble trap works by efficiently removing unwanted gas or air bubbles from process fluids. It is designed to be crevice-free and self-draining, ensuring that no harmful bacteria accumulate. A bubble trap starts with fluid entry, where process fluid containing gas or air bubbles enter the trap. Next, the bubble trap design allows gas or air bubbles to rise and separate from the liquid due to differences in density. The separated gas is vented out, leaving the process fluid free of bubbles. Finally, the bubble-free fluid exits the trap, ready for further processing.
What is the working principle of bubble trap?
Bubble traps operate on the principle of density differential separation, exploiting buoyancy forces to isolate gas from liquid. The trap creates controlled hydraulic conditions where flow velocity decreases in an expansion chamber, allowing lighter gas bubbles to naturally rise against gravity while heavier liquid continues through the process path. The chamber geometry optimizes residence time and flow patterns, enhancing separation efficiency. Some designs incorporate impact or deflection surfaces to dislodge microbubbles from the solution.