Large-scale membrane adsorbers

A new large-scale membrane adsorber system for rapid separation of biomolecules based on a hollow cylindrical module geometry in unitized construction and combined parallel and serial connection of modules is presented. The effectiveness of the concept is demonstrated by breakthrough curves on a 21-m(2) pilot plant with hemoglobin as a model substance. Scale-up to the order of 100 m(2) and above is easily performed by combining modules in parallel for increasing capacity, and in series for optimizing performance. An estimation of productivity based on these data is presented. Preliminary results of separations by linear salt gradient elution cue also given. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.