Numerical and Experimental Biomass Separation from Fermentation Process by Minihydrocyclones

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology 2021-01, Vol.44 (1), p.23-30
• Main Authors: Abdollahzadeh, Laleh, Mazraeno, Masoumeh Seyfi, Hosseini, Seyed Nezamedin, Fazlali, Alireza, Soury, Ehsan, Habibian, Mahmoud, Khatami, Maryam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomass; Biomass particle separation; Computational fluid dynamics; Fermentation; Flow velocity; Hydrocyclones; Minihydrocyclone; Particle separation; Separation; Yeast
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.202000130

Biomass particle separation is challenging in the pharmaceutical industry because of the smallness and lightness of such particles. Centrifugation is applied conventionally for batch separation. However, imposing multiple wash steps in order to eliminate culture residues and the high risk of extrinsic contamination hamper batch techniques. In this research, minihydrocyclones were introduced to provide a better solution for the mentioned limitations in continuous processes. Numerical separation of methylotrophic yeast from fermentation broth was carried out in three hydrocyclones with different lengths, and the most efficient one was examined experimentally. Three various feed flow rates and seven feed concentrations were evaluated. The concentration of biomass suspension in the product was raised to 20 %. Hepatitis B vaccine production can be more convenient along with less contamination by using minihydrocyclones. The proposed equipment separates small biomass particles from fermentation cultures in a continuous process based on centrifugal force. An improved efficiency can be achieved by operational and geometrical optimization under challenging conditions such as fine and light particles.