ISSN:
0006-3592
Keywords:
detergent based aqueous two phase systems
;
phase separation by sedimentation
;
phase separation by centrifugation
;
separation of detergent based aqueous phase systems
;
biomass influence
;
Chemistry
;
Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
Detergent based aqueous two-phase systems have several specific properties, e.g., extreme small density differences between the two liquid phases (0.003-0.005 g/cm3), low interfacial tensions (5-10 μN/m) and complex rheological behavior of the product containing detergent-rich phase, which make processing difficult. We describe the successful separation of these aqueous two-phase systems in the pilot scale (1-20 kg) in the presence and absence of microbial cells, either by settling under gravity or in centrifugal separators. The performance of self-desludging liquid-liquid separators and of a nozzle separator was analyzed in detail to judge large scale application. With a feed rate of 16 L/h, stable operation was possible in the desludging machine. Up to 56 L/h could be processed with very close control of the hydrodynamic balance. In a small nozzle separator, feed rates of 90 L/h could be realized, but the purity of the separated phases and the yield of the top phase was slightly lower than in the liquid-liquid separator. The presence of surface-active components in the feed may alter the separation characteristics of the phase systems significantly. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 55: 339-347, 1997.
Additional Material:
5 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
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