The Z600-S3-F20u is the 20 micron pore-size filter material for the Hermle SIEVA-3 filtration centrifuge family — PP DWL (polypropylene double-woven) construction, supplied as a pack of 10 filters. The 20 µm pore is the mid-fine spec in the SIEVA-3 filter catalog (which spans 7 µ / 20 µ / 30 µ / 50 µ); it's the right pick for workflows that need to retain particles down to ~20 µm but don't require the slower filtration time of the 7 µm fine-pore variant. Intermediate-crystallizate isolation, mid-particle slurry dewatering, and many pharmaceutical-formulation workflows fall in this pore class.
Key Specifications
| SKU | Z600-S3-F20u |
| Type | Filter material — consumable |
| Pore size | 20 µm |
| Material | PP DWL (polypropylene double-woven) |
| Pack quantity | 10 filters per pack |
| Per-filter cost | $184 |
| Compatible basket | Z600-500-P (perforated 500 mL basket) and Z600-S3-PC (SafeCoat-coated perforated basket) |
| Compatible chassis | Z600-S3 family: Z600-S3, Z600-S3-TC |
| Max. operating speed | 10,000 rpm at SIEVA-3 chassis maximum |
| Max. RCF in basket | 7,825 × g |
| List price | $1,841 (pack of 10) |
Compatibility & Pore-Size Selection
SIEVA-3 family only. The Z600-S3-F20u filter pairs with the perforated centrifugal basket (Z600-500-P or Z600-S3-PC) inside a SIEVA-3 chassis. Not compatible with rotor-based centrifuges in the Hermle line — the SIEVA-3 is the only filtration centrifuge in the catalog.
Where 20 µm sits in the pore-size family:
| Pore | SKU | Application class |
| 7 µm | Z600-S3-F7u | Finest — fine pharmaceutical crystallizates, fine-API recovery |
| 20 µm | Z600-S3-F20u (this product) | Mid-fine — intermediate crystallizates, mid-particle slurries |
| 30 µm | Z600-S3-F30u | Mid-coarse — larger crystallizates, biomass dewatering |
| 50 µm | Z600-S3-F50u | Coarsest — large-particle slurries, brewing yeast, food-science biomass |
Filtration-time vs retention trade-off. Coarser pores filter faster (less cake-formation resistance per unit time) but let smaller particles through. The 20 µm pore sits at the workflow sweet-spot for pharmaceutical intermediate crystallizates where the product-particle size is typically in the 30–100 µm range and the workflow benefits from faster-than-7-µm filtration without sacrificing intermediate-particle retention.
Application Profile
Intermediate pharmaceutical crystallizate isolation. Synthesis intermediates, pre-formulation crystallizates, and many active-pharmaceutical-ingredient workflows produce crystals in the 30–100 µm range — the 20 µm pore retains them with margin while filtering faster than the 7 µm fine-pore variant.
Mid-particle slurry dewatering. Catalyst recovery from mid-particle catalyst suspensions, polymer-bead workflows, and pigment-recovery workflows typically fall in the 20–50 µm particle class.
Pharmaceutical wash workflows. When the workflow involves multiple wash cycles on the same cake (recrystallization, solvent exchange, anti-solvent precipitation), the 20 µm pore supports faster wash-cycle turnover than 7 µm while maintaining cake retention.
Food-science fine-biomass recovery. Mid-particle biomass workflows in brewing intermediates, fermentation harvest, and food-product processing.
Method-development characterization. When validating a new SIEVA-3 workflow, the 20 µm pore is a common "starting" pore for characterization — operators typically test 20 µm against finer (7 µm) and coarser (30/50 µm) pores to find the workflow's optimal retention/throughput point.
Inventory & Workflow Notes
Single-use vs reuse. Filters are typically single-use for pharmaceutical-grade workflows where any cake residue between batches would compromise product purity. For non-cGMP workflows (food science, environmental), filters may be cleaned and reused per the workflow's cleaning protocol.
Filter installation. Filter seats into the perforated basket per the SIEVA-3 operator's manual installation procedure. Confirm filter integrity (no tears, no creases) before installation — a damaged filter will leak the solid phase into the filtrate.
Pack consumption rate. Production-scale workflows typically consume one filter per cycle; at 10 cycles per day, a pack of 10 = one operating day. Stock multiple packs accordingly.
Pore-size validation kits. First-time SIEVA-3 installs commonly include packs of multiple pore sizes (F7u + F20u + F30u + F50u) for method-development characterization. Once the workflow's optimal pore is identified, restocking is single-pore-size.
Ordering & Configuration
Z600-S3-F20u ships as a pack of 10 filters. Filter material only — basket (Z600-500-P or Z600-S3-PC) and SIEVA-3 chassis sold separately.
Confirm at quote: pack quantity per workflow throughput, pore-size validation packs if commissioning a new SIEVA-3 install, and lead time for restocking.
Warranty: Filter material is a consumable; quality is guaranteed against manufacturing defect at time of delivery. No service-life warranty applies (single-use or limited-reuse per workflow).
Pore-size selection summary: match the pore size to the smallest particle class the workflow needs to retain. The 20 µm pore (this SKU) is the mid-fine pick — most pharmaceutical-intermediate workflows start here and validate against finer or coarser alternatives based on the specific product-particle distribution.
