Solvent Filter Cartridges, 1 Micron Polypropylene, Activated Carbon
ABOUT THIS PART
Replacement cartridges for the N.B. Oler inline solvent filter, in two media. 1 micron spun polypropylene at $65 for particulate, activated carbon adsorbent at $315 for chemical contamination. Both are 4.875 inches long, both drop into the same 316L stainless housing, both ship from Bend, Oregon.
Which one do I need
| Media | Catches | Buy it when | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 micron spun polypropylene | Rust, scale, weld slag, pipe dope, whatever rode in with the transfer | Always. This is the default, cheap enough to change on a schedule. | $65 |
| Activated carbon adsorbent | Chemical contamination dissolved in the solvent itself, which a particulate element passes straight through | A drum you do not trust, a new supplier, a lot that behaved strangely, or solvent going in after a run went wrong. | $315 |
Specification
- Element length 4.875 in (124 mm), both media.
- Fits the N.B. Oler inline solvent filter housing, 1/2 in female NPT.
- Pressure and temperature are governed by the housing: 250 psi (17.2 bar) and 400 F (204 C).
- The manufacturer publishes no micron rating for the carbon element, and we do not invent one. Carbon works by adsorption, not by particle size exclusion.
- Other ratings to order: spun polypropylene 1 to 150 micron, pleated polypropylene 0.5 to 100 micron, pleated stainless 5 to 500 micron, which is cleanable and reusable rather than disposable. Email info@nboler.com with the media and rating.
When to change one
- Particulate element: when flow drops off, or on a fixed interval you set and keep to, whichever comes first.
- Carbon element: per batch of suspect solvent. Adsorption capacity is finite and a saturated carbon bed is just an expensive restriction.
The carbon element and Medusa stones
- Extractors have been chasing chalky THCA diamonds, sudden fast crash and rectangular bar formations since around 2021, and the cause is still not proven. Extraction Magazine says outright that the exact cause has yet to be discovered.
- Solvent Direct places the problem upstream in the refining supply chain, naming alcohols, benzene, hydrogen peroxide, propylene and ammonia or amine interactions as suspects.
- The one concrete remedy in print is passing solvent through molecular sieve, activated alumina or activated charcoal before use, with varying degrees of success. Activated charcoal is this cartridge. For the sieve leg, see 3A beads for ethanol and 4A beads for hydrocarbons.
- Worth knowing both sides: some extractors on Future4200 report that carbon processed material chalks more readily, not less.
- We will not tell you a $315 cartridge guarantees clear diamonds, because nobody can. It is the cheapest place in the process to intervene, and it sits before the solvent enters the machine rather than after the damage is done.
What these do not fit
- Not a standard 10 inch water filter housing.
- Not tri-clamp.
- Not interchangeable with our sintered tri-clamp filter plates, our 12 inch lenticular modules or our 6 inch filter socks, all of which filter oil rather than incoming solvent.
SPECIFICATIONS
▦ IN YOUR MANUAL
This part appears in the operator manual that ships with your system. The QR code there links to this page.
◈ REFERENCE FOR THIS PART
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is the difference between the two?
The 1 micron spun polypropylene catches particulate: rust, scale, weld slag, pipe dope, whatever rode in with the transfer. The activated carbon adsorbs chemical contamination dissolved in the solvent itself, which a particulate element passes straight through.
Which one should I run by default?
The 1 micron spun polypropylene at $65. It is cheap enough to change on a schedule rather than waiting for the flow to drop.
When do I need the carbon?
When you suspect the solvent rather than what is floating in it. A drum you do not trust, a new supplier, a lot that behaved strangely, or solvent going in after a run went wrong.
Will the carbon cartridge prevent Medusa stones?
Nobody can promise that and we will not. The cause is unproven. Extraction Magazine states the exact cause has yet to be discovered. What is in print is Solvent Direct's report that some of these issues have been remedied by passing solvent through molecular sieve, activated alumina or activated charcoal before use, with varying degrees of success. Activated charcoal is this cartridge. Some extractors on Future4200 report the opposite, that carbon processed material chalks more readily, and you should weigh that too.
What micron is the carbon?
The manufacturer does not publish a micron rating for the carbon adsorbent media, so we do not quote one. Carbon works by adsorption, not by particle size exclusion, which is why the rating is not the useful number for it.
How long is the element?
4.875 inches, both media.
How often should I change them?
Change the particulate element when flow drops off, or on a fixed interval you set and keep to, whichever comes first. Change the carbon element per batch of suspect solvent, because adsorption capacity is finite and a saturated carbon bed is just an expensive restriction.
Can I get other micron ratings?
Yes, to order. Spun polypropylene in 1, 5, 25, 50, 75 and 150 micron. Pleated polypropylene in 0.5, 2, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 micron. Pleated stainless in 5 through 500 micron, which is cleanable and reusable rather than disposable. Email info@nboler.com with the media and rating.
What do they fit?
Our inline solvent filter housing, the 1/2 inch female NPT one sold here. They do not fit a standard 10 inch water filter housing and they are not tri-clamp.
Are these the same as your sintered filter plates or lenticular modules?
No. Those sit elsewhere in the process, on tri-clamp connections, filtering oil rather than incoming solvent. These are cartridges for the solvent pre filter.
What is in stock?
Six of the 1 micron spun polypropylene elements. The activated carbon element is not on the shelf and is ordered in, so figure about a week on that one.
Can I run molecular sieve as well?
Yes, and the same write up that mentions activated charcoal mentions molecular sieve. We sell 3A and 4A beads separately.