Centrifugal Field-Enhanced Bioseparations

Centrifugal force is used to enhance separation of biosolids from fluid when there is little density difference between the solids and the liquid phases, and also when very small particles or fines are present. Under these conditions, separation by gravity settling alone is generally not feasible or economical. A rapidly growing application of centrifugal field enhanced separation is the separation of protein dissolved in liquid from biosolids downstream of fermenters and bioreactors for production of therapeutic drug substances such as monoclonal antibodies. Centrifuges are also used in various steps in solid-liquid separation after precipitation and crystallization as in biopharmaceutical production. This session covers all aspects of bioseparation by centrifugation from lab-scale studies, pilot plant, to production systems using disk and tubular centrifuges. Novel designs, processes and fundamental studies on centrifugal field enhanced bioseparations will be considered. Also of interest are separation of biosolids as derived from plants for drug, fuel (ethanol) from corn, and raw materials; as well as separation in enzyme production in which decanters are used. Separation of biosolids, such as starch, using cyclones as found in food processing and other allied industries are also pertinent.