Apparatus for wetting, flushing and performing integrity checks on encapsulated PTFE filters

An apparatus for pre-wetting, flushing and performing integrity checks on encapsulated PTFE filters, said apparatus comprising:

• an integral filter housing (112) encapsulating a PTFE filter (114) therein, said filter housing having an inlet pipe (116), a filter outlet pipe (118), and a vent pipe (122);
• first controllable inlet valve (126) coupled to said inlet pipe of said filter housing for supplying a solvent solution to pre-wet said encapsulated PTFE filter;
• second controllable inlet valve (117) coupled also to said inlet pipe of said filter housing for supplying gas from a source of gas under pressure to check the integrity of said pre-wetted PTFE filter;
• third controllable inlet (119) means coupled also to said inlet pipe of said filter housing for supplying water from a source a source of water to flush said pre-wetted filter after checking its integrity;
• and
• said third controllable inlet valve including a water inlet pipe (140) connected to a source of water and a three-way valve (119) upstream of means coupling the second inlet valve with the inlet pipe of the filter housing having its inlet side coupled to the water inlet pipe, its first outlet side coupled to said inlet pipe of said filter housing, and its second outlet side connected to a water outlet pipe (148), said inlet side of said three-way valve being in fluid communication with said second outlet side so as to permit recirculation of the water during a standby mode of operation, said inlet side of said three-way valve being in fluid communication with said second outlet side so as to rinse the filter during a flushing mode of operation.