LabStak™
Alfa Laval offers a versatile range of small-scale LabStak™ plate-and-frame modules for on-site membrane testing. Compatible with all RO, NF, UF and MF flat-sheet membranes from Alfa Laval, they deliver accurate data to evaluate the feasibility of your cross-flow membrane filtration process. Gain the confidence to design and scale up efficiently, optimize existing production lines and unlock high-value product opportunities – all backed by Alfa Laval’s proven expertise.
Experience efficient membrane testing performance with Alfa Laval
- Fast, reliable screening in your own lab provides accurate answers to critical questions early in the process
- The same design is used for both small-scale and industrial equipment, enabling smooth scale-up
- Test multiple membrane types within one unit and optimize trials with quick, easy membrane exchange
- Monitor cross-flow behavior through a transparent plate for visual control
- All components meet FDA and ECC regulations for safe use in food and pharma applications
Accurate data and expert support to validate your ideas
Achieving accurate results and optimized performance for innovative applications is now simpler than ever with Alfa Laval’s comprehensive range of LabStak™ modules and lab units, designed for convenient on-site testing alongside your existing process equipment.
When more advanced trials and in-depth analysis are required, Alfa Laval’s Membrane and Application Development Test Centre in Nakskov, Denmark, offers the ideal environment to move from experimentation to full-scale implementation. In both settings, testers can rely on Alfa Laval’s expert process consultancy and membrane testing support.
Alfa Laval filtration lab testing solutions
To determine the most effective solution, early-stage experimentation on a small scale is advisable. LabStak™ frame and plate modules can be used to establish process feasibility, generate key design data for upscaling (such as temperature, pressure and cross-flow velocity), and optimize existing production lines. Alfa Laval membrane portable test units also empower R&D teams to develop small-scale processes for high-value or low-volume products, driving rapid innovation and accelerating research results. Read more about Alfa Laval M10, Alfa Laval M20, Alfa Laval M37/38 and Alfa Laval M39 L/H membrane lab test units below.
LabStak™ M10
The LabStak™ M10 module is the smallest and most compact of the Alfa Laval units for cross-flow membrane filtration. An ideal tool for educational purposes and for research and development work when you need to perform initial tests with ultrafiltration and microfiltration flat-sheet membranes.
LabStak™ M20
The Alfa Laval LabStak™ M20 module is a flexible plate-and-frame test unit for testing all RO, NF, UF and MF flat-sheet membranes, making it well suited for research and development work, quality assurance, as well as pilot plant process optimization and upscaling. An optional M20-2.5” housing makes the unit easily convertible also for spiral wound testing.
LabStak™ M37/38
The Alfa Laval LabStak™ M37/38 module is a flexible plate-and-frame test unit for ultrafiltration and microfiltration membrane processes, using the same support plates and flat-sheet membranes as our full-scale membrane filtration modules. Optional plate sets accommodate feeds with varying viscosities or solids content.
LabStak™ M39 L/H
The Alfa Laval LabStak™ M39 module is designed for ultrafiltration and microfiltration of highly viscous products and fermentation broths, delivering optimized flow dynamics, low energy use and stable pressure operation for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage applications. Optional plate sets suit different liquid viscosities.
How do Alfa Laval filtration test units work?
Our range of LabStak™ modules is based on the unique plate-and-frame design with the module sizes: M10, M20, M37, M38 and M39. The liquid capacity of our LabStak™ modules varies from only 57 ml of test media volume in the Alfa Laval LabStak™ M10 module up to 3 litres in the Alfa Laval LabStak™ M39H module. It is possible to test all filtration processes: Reverse osmosis, nanofitration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration.
The Alfa Laval plate-and-frame module is engineered with open channels running across the membrane surface, allowing the feed stream/retentate to flow uniformly along the module. This ensures consistent shear rates and controlled cross-flow conditions, which are critical for maintaining membrane performance and preventing fouling.
The membrane is mechanically supported by rigid hollow plates with numerous slots that allow the permeate to collect and be removed from the module via the permeate collecting tubes. Plate-and-frame modules use the membrane itself, aided by lock rings or strips, to seal off the feed/retentate from mixing into the permeate channels. This also prevents any leaks from the plate stack itself.
Alfa Laval LabStak™ M10 and LabUnit M10
With a membrane area of only 336 cm², the Alfa Laval M10 module is the most compact LabStak™ test unit in Alfa Laval’s laboratory equipment range, making it an ideal starting point for early-stage testing.
Its simple yet robust design ensures reliable results and exceptionally easy operation, giving R&D teams the confidence to explore process concepts, optimize parameters and begin scale-up work without complexity. The ability to install and evaluate two membranes at the same time further accelerates initial membrane screening and selection.
For those seeking a ready-to-run system, the Alfa Laval LabUnit M10 integrates the LabStak™ M10 module with the required pump, valves, heat exchanger and instrumentation.
Alfa Laval LabStak™ M20 and LabUnit M20
The Alfa Laval M20 module will be your LabStak™ partner of choice if dependable and reproducible results are crucial to your work. This flexible unit is designed for plate-and-frame operation and allows you to adjust the membrane area quickly and easily using two external stay bolts and a low-end flange with full stroke. This means you can configure any membrane area between 0.036 and 0.72 m² (divisible by 0.036) without the need for special tools, making it ideal for fast iteration and precise test tailoring.
Engineered to support demanding research conditions, the Alfa Laval LabStak™ M20 module tolerates high operating temperatures and pressures and is compatible with the full portfolio of Alfa Laval flat sheet membranes.
The Alfa Laval TestUnit M20 offers a fully integrated system mounted on a wheeled stainless-steel table that includes the LabStak™ M20 module and all essential components – providing a mobile, professional setup perfectly suited for universities, technical institutes, pilot environments and advanced research facilities where flexibility and rapid experimentation are essential.
Alfa Laval LabStak™ M37/M38 and LabUnit M37/38
Keep equipment and set-up costs to a minimum without compromising efficiency. The Alfa Laval M37/38 is ideal for process development, scale-up, membrane testing, quality assurance, or small-scale production.
Built with the same support plates and membranes as full-scale plate-and-frame systems for cross-flow filtration, this LabStak™ delivers reliable, industry-grade results at a laboratory scale. Its flexible design allows easy exchange of flat sheet membranes for ultrafiltration and microfiltration, as well as seamless connection to an industrial plant by-pass stream. With adjustable channel heights, it optimizes flow and pressure and supports the simultaneous testing of up to seven different membrane types. The module operates at temperatures up to 80 °C, features a low internal volume, a flexible membrane area between 0.11 and 1.05 m², and a versatile system design. All components are manufactured in compliance with FDA and EEC regulations, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
The Alfa Laval LabUnit M37/38 is a fully integrated membrane pilot equipment, comprising an Alfa Laval LabStak™ M37/38 module complete with the necessary pump, valves, heat exchanger, and instrumentation. The plate set configurations can be selected according to application: M37 plate set for highly viscous liquids, M38H plate set for high channel, medium-viscosity liquids, and M38L plate set for low channel, low-viscosity liquids.
Alfa Laval LabStak™ M39 L/H and LabUnit M20
The Alfa Laval LabStak™ M39L/H module is a popular choice for use within a range of industries which includes biotech and pharmaceuticals as well as food and beverages. The module features a flexible membrane area between 0.2 m² and 1.0 m² and is designed for optimized flow dynamics, low energy consumption and pressure operation. It can be equipped with plate sets of different channel heights to optimize flow and pressure, with the M39L plate set designed for low to medium viscosity liquids and the M39H plate set for high viscosity liquids. Compare performance in real time through simultaneous testing of up to five different membrane types, saving time and resources when optimizing production processes.
The LabStak™ M39 L/H module is integrated in the Alfa Laval PilotUnit Multi multipurpose system
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