FLUX DECLINE BEHAVIOR IN DEAD-END MICROFILTRATION OF PROTEIN SOLUTIONS

Constant pressure microfiltration of solutions of the protein bovine s erum albumin (BSA) has been studied in a batch filtration cell without stirring. Row resistance increased dramatically with time compared wi th the initial membrane resistance while most of the solutes passed th rough the membrane. The variation of the filtration flux rate with tim e during extended filtration periods could not be analysed by a unique blocking filtration law. The long-term decline in the filtration rate was accurately described by considering the variation of the value of the exponent i in the general characteristic form of the blocking fil tration laws. It was found that the value of i continued to decrease w ith the progress of filtration. In addition, the effects on the filtra tion rate due to the solution pH, the filtration pressure, the fluid s olute concentration, and the membrane type were described based on the general characteristic form of the blocking filtration laws.