Ja. Levesley et M. Hoare, The effect of high frequency backflushing on the microfiltration of yeast homogenate suspensions for the recovery of soluble proteins, J MEMBR SCI, 158(1-2), 1999, pp. 29-39
Periodic backflushing (backpulsing) of the membrane was used to improve the
performance of a ceramic tubular membrane for the recovery of a soluble en
zyme, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), from a suspension of homogenised b
akers' yeast cells. Suspensions from concentrations of up to 280 g/l packed
cell weight were used. Short (0.1 s) pressure pulses were applied at high
frequency (1 Hz) to the permeate side of the membrane by compressed air act
ing on a diaphragm, causing short periods of reverse flow through the membr
ane. The intention was that the reverse flow would disrupt the fouling laye
rs on the membrane and enhance forward permeate flux and solute transmissio
n. The result was an increase in solute transmission, by up to 5.4 times in
the case of ADH, with a slight reduction in observed permeate flux. The in
crease in transmission during backpulsing was greater for ADH than for the
background of total protein, so some additional product purification was ac
hieved. The resultant effect was an increase in productivity for ADH recove
ry by backpulsing. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.