1/ There are hundreds of active carbon varieties, each with a specific function. Certain active carbons have been developed to adsorb and then desorb in order to recover precious solvents or metals such as gold for example. Others are used as molecular sieves like in chromatographic column cases. Other types of active carbons are made to never desorb, like military gas masks for example. Erlab filters are like these.

Erlab specializes in making filters for ductless fume hoods that contain active carbon that is specially formulated to capture and hold on to any molecules that are adsorbed. Not all active carbon filters are the same, even across ductless fume hood manufacturers.

2/ Erlab has been the expert in fume hood filtration since 1968. We have an applied research laboratory equipped with top-of-the-line equipment and a specialized R&D staff. These specialists are in charge of, amongst other things, determining the type of active carbon applied to the specific use of Erlab’s CaptairFlex Fume Hoods, the GreenFumeHood and now Erlab filters.

Erlab does not buy standard activated carbon. We have developed a carbon for our filters exclusively. We work with specialized partners to produce one of the most versatile active carbons in terms of molecular adsorption. We specify a strict set of rules which are then meticulously controlled during production at our refinery and then again once it arrives at our laboratory. We always ensure that it meets international ASTM standards, AFNOR NF X 15 211 and BSA result standards.
Our experience in filtration allows us to offer 4 types of filters to cover a wide variety of laboratory applications.

Finally, we have developed a 5th type of filter based on Neutrodine® technology which ensures the user additional versatility, unequalled by other carbons available for fume hoods.

6/ When we study your application for compatibility, we are also able to determine how long your filter will last based on what types and quantities of chemicals you are using.

Thanks to the superior quality of our carbons, you will find that the average service life of an Erlab filter (and therefore its molecular adsorption capacity) is often better than that of our competitors’ filters.

7/ Relevant standards to carbon as a raw material, i.e. the ASTM D2862-82; ASTM D2854-83; ASTM
D2867-83 and ASTM D5742-95 standards. These standards govern respectively particle size distribution, ash content, humidity level and finally butane adsorption capacity of the activated carbon. These raw material tests are in no case a quality test in relation with safety.

That is why the design of our filters has been the subject of laboratory-based aeraulic studies, to
optimize adsorption parameters of carbon contained within them.

8/ The AFNOR NF X 15-211 standard addresses performances of a fume hood or recirculating fume hood as a whole (containment, air face velocity, filtration system efficiency) but it does not define in any case filter properties alone isolated from its filtration system.

A filter alone therefore cannot comply with this standard! Erlab, a manufacturer of filtered enclosures compliant with the AFNOR NFX 15-211 standard applies the same level of requirement on its Erlab filters production.

9/ We have developed filter shells specifically designed to prevent any unsettling and wall effects that would have a negative influence on filtration quality and the filter’s longevity.

We offer two types of filter shell for depending on your hood type: an electro-galvanized steel shell that prevents any risk of corrosion and a shell made of a specially patented injected polypropylene (PP) envelope.

10/ Each Erlab filter is subject to a quality control procedure ensuring the traceability of its production cycle. Each of our filters is identified by a serial number, a manufacturing date and a packaging date.

Moreover, each filter is supplied with a certificate of compliance. We also pay particular attention to our products packaging in order to guarantee perfect operation and storage after delivery.

15/ Erlab has been in operation since 1968 and has been recognised as the specialist in molecular filtration systems for 43 years.
Erlab research and development laboratory is equipped with the most sophisticated investigation and inspection equipment (gas chromatography, FID detectors, mass spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, ASTM test bench, NFX 15-211 standard test bubble) and six laboratory specialists, including two chemists and two doctors in physics and chemistry, who are constantly working on improving filters for the Neutrodine® filtration system.

Erlab has thee production and sales sites, Erlab Inc. in the USA, Erlab Sas in Europe and Erlab Ltd. in China, as well as sales offices in Malaysia, Spain and China. Erlab group of companies have an Erlab department specialised in the maintenance of fume hoods and GreenFumeHood®.