Large-scale clarification of process streams with particle distributions ranging from 0.2 to greater than 2 microns is challenging for traditional depth filtration.  Achieving adequate volumetric throughput using commonly used commercially available composite depth filters can require excessive (even prohibitive) filter area.  The reason is that there is inadequate protection of the first layer of the composite to prevent large particles from plugging pores.  It becomes necessary to explore the addition of coarser grade layers to remove larger particles in order to extend the throughput of the tighter grade layers.  This work examines the development and optimization of multi-stage depth filtration for the large-scale clarification of a challenging process stream. Response surface methodology was used with bench-scale experiments to make a statistical regression model of two-stage and three-stage filtration processes as a function of flux rate and the area ratio between stages.

Clarification of poly-disperse E coli feed stream using multistage depth filtration

245th National Meeting (2013)

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