Filtration Tutorial

This tutorial is designed to enhance knowledge of the

purification processes used in biotechnology. The topics
covered in this tutorial are meant to provide a succinct
overview of microfiltration and ultrafiltration processes. A
more in-depth study will be referenced throughout the
tutorial. It is recommended that an examination of the
references be performed to further explain any of the
concepts covered in this brief tutorial.
Overview
Types of Filtration
Microfiltration
How it works?
Ultrafiltration
How it works?
Microfiltration vs. Ultrafiltration
References
Types of Filtration
2 Examples:
1. Cross Flow

2. Dead End Flow
Types of flow images from: http://www.che.utexas.edu/nams/IUPAC/iupac.html
Type 1: Cross Filtration
Flow parallel to
membrane surface

Does not cause buildup,
therefore does not suffer
from reduced flow
overtime

F = feed;
M = membrane;
P = permeate;
R = retentate
(components that do NOT
pass through the
membrane)
Cross Flow diagram from:
http://www.che.utexas.edu/nams/IUPAC/iupac.html
Type 2: Dead End Flow
Flow perpendicular to
membrane surface

Causes build up of filter
cake on membrane

F = feed;
M = membrane;
P = permeate
(components that pass
through membrane)
Dead-end Flow diagram from:
http://www.che.utexas.edu/nams/IUPAC/iupac.html
Microfiltration
Separates soluble contaminants remaining
within the supernatant


Supernatant may include:
Other proteins
Bio-molecules
Un-used growth media

Microfiltration image from:
http://www.aaflow.de/filtertech/index.html
How does Microfiltration
work?
Pressure driven process

Separates:
Components in a solution
or suspension based on
molecular size

Particles size range:
10mm (starches) to aprx.
0.04mm (DNA, Viruses,
and globular proteins)

Microfiltration image from:
http://www.faireymicrofiltrex.com/Vokes%20Mi
crofiltration/media/images/e-fluor.gif
Ultrafiltration
Usually used to
further separate any
contaminants able to
pass through the
microfiltration
membrane using a
pressure gradient
Ultrafiltration image from:
http://www.awatec.ch/produkte/ultrafiltration.jpg
How does Ultrafiltration work?
Separates:
Particle size range:
0.1mm to 0.001mm

Usually based on
molecular weight
Typical range:
200 to 300,000 g/mole
Ultrafiltration image from:
http://www.toltecint.com/how_dialysis_works/how_hemodial
ysis_works.htm
Microfiltration vs. Ultrafiltration
Microfiltration:
Proteins act as the
permeate


Ultrafiltration
Proteins act as the
retentate
Images from:
http://www.geafil
tration.com/html/
technology/ftech
nology.html
Microfiltration vs. Ultrafiltration
Microfiltration:
Separates larger particles
For example-
Colloids
Fat globules
Cells
Located upstream to
reduce load and fouling
capacity on ultrafiltration
membrane downstream
Ultrafiltration
Separates smaller particles
For example-
Macromolecules
However,
processes are
basically identical
References
[1] Case Study Solution - Facility Design for Antigenic
Co-proteins (2003). CHE 451. NCSU
[2] Grandison, A. S. & Lewis, M. J. (Eds.). (1996)
Separation Processes in the Food and Biotechnology
Industries. Woodhead Publishing. Retrieved November
30, 2003 from Knovel Chemistry and Chemical
Engineering Database.
[3] Zeman, L. J. & Zydney, A. L. (1996) Microfiltration
and Ultrafiltration: Principles and Applications. New York:
Marcel Dekker, Inc. Available via NCSU libraries as an
eBook