Filtration systems designed by Spectrum Labs are based on Tangential Flow Filtration Technique.

Traditional sieve (or dead-end) filtrations consist of forcing a solution containing suspended solids directly through the membrane structure.  Solids retained by the membrane collect on the surface of the membrane media, continually reducing the permeation rate and eventually plugging the device. 

Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) is an efficient way to separate streams that would become quickly plugged if processed by dead-ended techniques.  When using tangential flow techniques, most of the process fluid flows along the membrane surface rather than passing through the membrane structure.  Fluid is pumped at a relatively high velocity parallel to the membrane surface.  Except for water treatment applications, only a small percentage of the tangential flow along the membrane surface ends up as permeate.  In most cell and particle separations, for example, only 1% to 5% of the inlet flow to the membrane device becomes permeate.  The remaining 95% to 99% exits the membrane device as “retentate”.  The retentate is recirculated back to the process reservoir and the module inlet such that another 1% to 5% can be removed as permeate.  This recirculation process continues in rapid succession generating a significant and continuous permeation rate.