Integrated Filtration Tank with Concentric Membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtration methods for flowable media, such as fermentation broths, often require harsh conditions and extensive equipment, leading to potential damage to sensitive biotechnological products and inefficiencies in product throughput.
Innovation Solution
A filtration device and method where multiple filtration arrangements are integrated into a single, closed process tank, allowing for gentle filtration under low transmembrane pressure, using a liquid column to maintain constant pressure and incorporating a stirring device for defined flow conditions, eliminating the need for separate process tanks and pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cross-flow filtration is used with separate process tanks and pumps, then filtration capacity is improved, but equipment complexity and potential damage to sensitive products increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the process tank and filtration arrangement into a single integrated unit. The filtration membranes are directly installed within the process tank, eliminating the need for separate filtration vessels and transfer pumps. This integration maintains filtration capacity while significantly reducing equipment complexity and the number of components required for the filtration system.
2Productivity
If high transmembrane pressure is applied to increase filtration speed, then productivity is improved, but cell damage and product loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies gas pressure (pneumatic pressure) on the retentate side of the filtration membranes to drive the filtration process. This pneumatic approach allows for gentle pressure application that maintains adequate filtration speed while avoiding the mechanical stress and cell damage associated with high transmembrane pressure systems. The gas pressure can be precisely controlled to optimize both productivity and product integrity.
3Productivity
If multiple separate filtration arrangements are used to increase filtration area, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple filtration membranes arranged concentrically within the single process tank, similar to nested dolls. Multiple membranes with different pore sizes can be positioned at different radial distances from the tank center, maximizing the total filtration area within a compact volume. This nested arrangement increases productivity through greater filtration surface area while minimizing the space required for the filtration system.
4Reliability
If separate process tanks and filtration arrangements are used, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation and cleaning are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the filtration membranes directly into the process tank, the patent creates a unified structure that is both effective and easy to operate. The single-vessel design eliminates the need for transferring materials between separate tanks and simplifies cleaning procedures, as the entire system can be cleaned in place without disassembly or complex piping. This integration maintains filtration effectiveness while dramatically improving ease of operation and maintenance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables gentle and efficient filtration of sensitive media, maintaining constant transmembrane pressure, reducing equipment requirements, and allowing for continuous operation while minimizing cell damage and product loss.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid column is directly generated by the medium, which has a constant transmembrane pressure of, for example, more as 0.2 bar, in particular 0.3 bar, generated on the membrane filter disks
Implementation Method 2
the medium to be filtered is filtered by means of rotating and partially overlapping filter disks arranged in a container, with the permeate and the retentate being constantly drained from the container
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filtration method having a filtration device with a process tank (1) into which a feed (2) for supplying a medium to be processed, in particular a fermentation broth to be filtered, empties, wherein at least one filtration arrangement (9) is arranged in the process tank (1) and wherein the process tank (1) has at least one drain and is designed such that the filtration of the medium to be filtered can be carried out with the retentate remaining in the process tank (1) until the retentate is drained after completion of the filtration, having the following process steps: a) the process tank (1) is filled with the medium to be filtered and a pre-defined trans-membrane pressure is created on the at least one membrane filtration arrangement (9); b) the medium, in particular the fermentation broth, in the process tank (1) is filtered by the membrane filtration arrangement (9) until a pre-defined limit value of solid material, in particular of biomass, is reached in the mass fraction.