Optimization of plasma proteins concentration by ultrafiltration

This paper describes the optimization of the operation of an ultrafiltration cell filtering plasma proteins on the basis of the economic criteria of Shen and Probstein. The optimum hydrodynamic parameters were determined on a pilot ultrafiltration unit which was equipped with either an organic tubular PCI BX6 with 20 000 daltons molecular weight cut-off or mineral Ceraver P 19-40 membranes with an average pore radius size of 500 Angstrom. Optimum parameters corresponding to average transmembrane pressures of 3 and 4 bar and tangential flow rates of 5.4 and 0.5 m/s for Ceraver and PCI membranes, respectively, were established. The organic PCI BX6 membrane appeared more efficient than the ceramic Ceraver membrane. Experimental data for fouling and rejection coefficient are presented. High apparent rejection coefficients of the Ceraver membrane attained indicated that a dynamic membrane was formed which altered the molecular weight cut-off of the virgin membrane. The potential uses of the process for pollution control applications and cleaning of the ultrafiltration membranes are presented. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.