Smart downstream processing can be performed with a sequence of integrated purification steps, which minimize the number of storage tanks and reduce hold-up time. The result is an integrated multiple unit operation sequence that performs straight through processing of the target protein, with minimal time from expression to formulation. This downstream processing technique is well suited to be connected to a continuous upstream process based on perfusion. To develop these kinds of processes it is important to do studies in small-scale in a convenient way. This paper presents a methodology for process development and supervisory control of integrated downstream processes in lab-scale.<br/>A general platform is developed for sequential processing of lab-scale integrated downstream processes. The platform is implemented using ÄKTA/UNICORN-systems for demonstration but is not limited to this setup. The modification of the physical setup to handle multiple processing steps in sequence on one single machine makes it possible to study advanced and complex process configurations without a lot of resources. To make it easy to program and run the complicated setup a new supervisory controller is developed on top of UNICORN. The new controller, called <b>orbit</b>, is extendable and flexible to handle very different configurations and processes. To facilitate the usage even further the actual controller code is automatically generated from a high level presentation of the separation problem. Tools for design, control and verification makes it possible to virtual test the concept before making the actual experiment. The power of this concept is illustrated by some case studies.<br/>The general platform is illustrated by the chromatogram below from a process with four steps. The sensors measure UV and conductivity after each separations step in a cycle of four chromatography columns with in-line mobile phase conditioning. The product elutes after the fourth step in the small broad peek at 46 min.

General platform for development of integrated downstream processes

255th National Meeting (2018)

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