Fractionation membrane application

However, for membrane applications, where the need to constrain physical dimensions and the mechanical properties required impose limits on the acceptable swelling ratio. Equation 16.1 can be used to predict equilibrium polymer concentration and swelling ratio for a gel with a known cross-link density. Figure 16.10 shows such a prediction for a dextran-based gel with an initial polymer fraction of 0.16 based on a dextran of 500 kDa. Other parameter values are given in Table 16.2. 

The concept of coupling reaction with membrane separation has been applied to biological processes since the seventies. Membrane bioreactors (MBR) have been extensively studied, and today many are in industrial use worldwide. MBR development was a natural outcome of the extensive utilization membranes had found in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The dairy industry, in particular, has been a pioneer in the use of microfiltra-tion (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF), and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. Applications include the processing of various natural fluids (milk, blood, fruit juices, etc.), the concentration of proteins from milk, and the separation of whey fractions, including lactose, proteins, minerals, and fats. These processes are typically performed at low temperature and pressure conditions making use of commercial membranes. 

Selective membrane application allows products mole fraction to be reduced and consequently the condition Kmole fractions of products lower than equilibrium values, is verified, promoting continuously the reaction from left to right. 

Refinery product separation falls into a number of common classes namely Main fractionators gas plants classical distillation, extraction (liquid-liquid), precipitation (solvent deasphalting), solid facilitated (Parex(TM), PSA), and Membrane (PRSIM(TM)). This list has been ordered from most common to least common. Main fractionators are required in every refinery. Nearly every refinery has some type of gas plant. Most refineries have classical distillation columns. Liquid-liquid extraction is in a few places. Precipitation, solid facilitated and membrane separations are used in specific applications. 

In the short term, we do not expect chiral membranes to find large-scale application. Therefore, membrane-assisted enantioselective processes are more likely to be applied. The two processes described in more detail (liquid-membrane fractionation and micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration) rely on established membrane processes and make use of chiral interactions outside the membrane. The major advantages of these... 

Purification of poloxamers has been extensively investigated due to their use in medical applications, the intention often being to remove potentially toxic components. Supercritical fluid fractionation and liquid fractionation have been used successfully to remove low-molecular weight impurities and antioxidants from poloxamers. Gel filtration, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and ultrafiltration through membranes are among the other techniques examined [5]. 

Adtveoitages. The antibody technology is remarkably convenient. It requires only that a significant fraction of FLPEP be receptor bound ( 10%). The assay can be set up in a few minutes and is applicable to membranes, permeabilized cells, cells, or any other preparation in which the receptor concentration is in the range of 1 niV or greater. We use this assay routinely to analyze ligand dissociation kinetics. 

Intelligent engineering can drastically improve process selectivity (see Sharma, 1988, 1990) as illustrated in Chapter 4 of this book. A combination of reaction with an appropriate separation operation is the first option if the reaction is limited by chemical equilibrium. In such combinations one product is removed from the reaction zone continuously, allowing for a higher conversion of raw materials. Extractive reactions involve the addition of a second liquid phase, in which the product is better soluble than the reactants, to the reaction zone. Thus, the product is withdrawn from the reactive phase shifting the reaction mixture to product(s). The same principle can be realized if an additive is introduced into the reaction zone that causes precipitation of the desired product. A combination of reaction with distillation in a single column allows the removal of volatile products from the reaction zone that is then realized in the (fractional) distillation zone. Finally, reaction can be combined with filtration. A typical example of the latter system is the application of catalytic membranes. In all these cases, withdrawal of the product shifts the equilibrium mixture to the product. 

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