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Self‐cleaning membranes for ultrafiltration
Author(s) -
Velicangil O.,
Howell J. A.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260230414
Subject(s) - ultrafiltration (renal) , membrane , chemistry , chromatography , proteases , membrane fouling , fouling , biochemistry , enzyme
In order to reduce the severe flux losses encountered during ultrafiltration of protein solutions, proteases were immobilized on Ultrafiltration membranes to hydrolyze the deposited solute molecules. Over a standard 22 hr run 25 to 78% improvement in cumulative permeate yield was obtained when processing 0.5% albumin or hemoglobin. It was also demonstrated that the flux enhancements were due to the biochemical action of the absorbed protease and not to its physical effect as a prefilter coat. with the aid of a model retardation of gel formation mechanism was demonstrated. Economics of the system were shown to be favorable, improving the rate of return on capital investment up to 50% by reduction of the total membrane area of the plant.