Polishing Filter

Jonas Gerson and Ian Swyer

Background

• Definition:

Polishing filters…“…are used to separate liquids only having very

small quantities of solid impurities…”

In this case to filter out the impurities from the output stream from a centrifuge

Process Situation

Flowrate (kg/batch) Mass Comp % Conc. g/LIn FlowBiomass 2.9903 0.0213 0.209987Out FlowBiomass 2.9903 50 494.02

How it WorksIn-Line T-Line

Design Selection• Need:

– Maximum flowrate of 27.7 L/min– Pore size of 0.2 µm

• Available Options– Companies: Pall, Millipore, MKS

• Need both disposable filters and housing

• It was found that 1 In-Line / T-Line filter housings using 10 inch disposable cartridge filters provide the best utility for the money

– The membrane areas were compared to the maximum flowrate needed, and compared against equivalent flux.

– Optimized for pressure drop and cartridge costs

Pressure Drop and Flowrates for Millipore SHF Filters

Suppliers and Prices

Final Design

2000 Cartridge Housing

Millipore Express SHF Cartridge Filter

$859 per 3

$1,196 per unit,

Capital Cost for Unit: $ 1482Operating per Batch: $ 286Per Year: $ 7400