Bubble Trap for Microfluidics
- Product SKU: LVF-KBT-S
- Category: Elveflow, Microfluidic Accessories, Microfluidic Bubble Traps
A bubble trap to get rid of bubbles in your flow stream. Air bubbles in a liquid sample are a typical issue often found in microfluidic experiments, and their elimination in the sample is quite usually hard to achieve.
Available in 3 versions of internal volume 44 µL (S), 97 µL (M), and 320 µL (L).
With this device, you can remove bubbles in your flow stream without any negative effect on the overall performance. Its principle relies on the pressure differential between the two sides of a hydrophobic PTFE membrane to remove bubbles from aqueous solutions.
- Robust, chemically resistant, and biocompatible (PVC body & PTFE membranes)
- Fitted to your volume needs 44µL (S) - 97µL (M) - 320 µL (L)
- Flow rates from around 5 µL/min (indicative values)
- Compatible with standard 1/4-28 fittings
We recommend using the bubble trap to avoid typical issues:
- Biological sample damaging (cytotoxicity)
- Sensors and chromatography columns drying
- Bubble-induced shear stress
- Volume sampling errors
- Flow instabilities due to bubbles in droplet generation
Principle
This bubble trap features a PTFE membrane. The solution containing bubbles is pushed into the trap and the bubbles are removed through a micro-porous PTFE membrane in a leak-free manner. You can optionally connect a vacuum pump to the rear outlet of the trap (active mode) to increase the bubble trap performance. But the trap usually shows significant bubble trapping performance on most setups even if no pump is connected (passive mode).
The bubble trap can be used in two modes
This microfluidic bubble trap can be used in two modes: a passive mode, and an active mode where a vacuum line can be added. In this second mode, the vacuum outlet of a pressure generator, such as this microfluidic pressure controller, can be used to maximize the bubble trap’s efficiency. This bubble trap enables achieving 100% debubbling for a flow of up to 60 mL/min. This microfluidic bubble trap is typically used in the range of 0.5 - 2.0 mL/min, but up to 60 mL/min can be achieved when a vacuum line is used.
| Passive Mode | Active Mode |
 |
 |
1x Bubble trap body (lower and upper part) in PVC
2x 1/4-28 fittings for 1/16" OD tubing + ferrules
1x M5 mounting screw
2x PTFE membranes
| Body material | PVC |
| Membrane material | PTFE |
| Membrane pore size | 10 µm |
| Connection ports | 1/4-28 UNF |
| Maximum operating pressure | 2 bar (30 psi) |
| Dimensions (mounted) | 30 x 30 mm cylinder |
| Flow range | 5 µL/min up to 6 mL/min (more in active mode)1 |
| Sterilization methods |
Not autoclavable 70% ethanol cleaning |
| Internal volume |
44 µL (small version) 97 µL (medium version) 320 µL (large version) |
1 In some applications (very low flow rate or high flow rate), you may have to use an external vacuum source to increase the pressure differential between the two sides of the membrane to get a better debubbling efficiency. Use the 1/4-28 UNF air outlet to connect your vacuum source.
Important notes
• This version is not autoclavable
• Not for use with organic solvents, as it may result in leakage
• Always push liquids toward the trap as there is a risk of bubble generation if used the wrong way
- Which parameters can I choose when selecting my bubble trap?
The internal volume of the bubble trap is the only parameter you can choose. We have three variants: 44 µL, 97 µL, and 320 µL.
- Should I select my bubble trap based on the flow rate of my experiment?
The flow rate is not the principal parameter you should consider when selecting your bubble trap, as each variant of the device works for a large range of flow rates: researchers usually use it for flow rates up to 60 mL/min and down to 10 µL/min. However, the smaller the internal volume, the less efficient the bubble trap will be for higher flow rates (see graph in "Specifications").
- Which internal volume should I choose, according to my experiment?
A higher internal volume will trap more of your solution inside the bubble trap, and this volume cannot be recovered in output. So if the solution you are using is precious, prefer a lower internal volume. Moreover, if your flow rate is really low, a smaller internal volume will help for the good work of the device. See the graph in "Specifications" for more information.
- Which pressure should I apply if I use the bubble trap in active mode?
You can use the bubble trap either in passive or active mode. In active mode, we have tested it for up to 2 bar applied with a vacuum pump. Then, it all depends on your experiment: if only 0.5 bar is needed to remove the bubbles from your solution, then it is not useful to increase the vacuum pressure.
- How should I clean my bubble trap?
You can clean your bubble trap with distilled water after each experiment but also with 70% ethanol if you work in sterile conditions: organic solvents can only damage the bubble trap if they are in contact during a long period, but it is suitable for a short cycle of cleaning. Do not forget to remove the membrane, clean it with ethanol and then flow water to remove ethanol traces. The bubble trap is not autoclavable since it is made of PVC, and it is not suitable for organic solvents.
- How often should I change the membrane?
As soon as you see a decrease in its efficiency, you can change the membrane of your bubble trap. There is no theoretical duration of each membrane because it all depends on which conditions you use your device.
- Can I use this bubble trap with living cells?
Of course! Many researchers use it, and we have never had any negative feedback.
Feel free to contact us for any additional questions!
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