Tangential Flow Filtration with Dual Centrifugal Pump Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tangential flow filtration systems face challenges in accurately adjusting transmembrane pressure and flow rates due to non-linear relationships with pinch valves, leading to high shear forces and contamination risks, particularly in biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing two centrifugal pumps, one for fluid conveyance and another for generating counter-pressure, allows precise control of transmembrane pressure and flow rates without mechanical narrowing, reducing shear forces and contamination risks by eliminating pinch valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pinch valves are used to increase flow resistance and transmembrane pressure, then permeate flow is enlarged, but shear forces increase and adjustment precision deteriorates due to non-linear relationship
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pinch valve system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Magnets are positioned behind the diaphragm to apply controlled force, eliminating the need for mechanical pinching and the associated high shear forces while maintaining precise pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diaphragm as an intermediary element between the magnetic actuation system and the fluid. The diaphragm transmits the magnetic force to adjust the outlet cross-section and control transmembrane pressure without directly exposing the fluid to high shear forces from mechanical pinching.
2Stress or pressure
If pinch valves are used to adjust transmembrane pressure, then pressure control is achieved, but adjustment reliability deteriorates due to non-linear relationship and narrow adjustment range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pinch valve system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Magnets are positioned behind the diaphragm to apply controlled force, eliminating the need for mechanical pinching and the associated high shear forces while maintaining precise pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the outlet cross-section can be continuously varied through magnetic actuation of the diaphragm. This provides a wide, linear adjustment range for transmembrane pressure, improving reliability compared to the narrow, non-linear adjustment range of pinch valves.
3Stress or pressure
If flow cross-section is narrowed to increase flow resistance, then transmembrane pressure increases, but contamination risk increases due to high flow velocities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diaphragm as an intermediary element between the magnetic actuation system and the fluid. The diaphragm transmits the magnetic force to adjust the outlet cross-section and control transmembrane pressure without directly exposing the fluid to high shear forces from mechanical pinching.
4Device complexity
If conventional pinch valves are used for pressure adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in achieving accurate pressure control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pinch valve system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Magnets are positioned behind the diaphragm to apply controlled force, eliminating the need for mechanical pinching and the associated high shear forces while maintaining precise pressure control.
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
Enables accurate and reliable adjustment of transmembrane pressure and flow rates over a wide range, minimizing shear forces and contamination, suitable for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a first centrifugal pump for the fluid (41) disposed in the first flow connection (31), by which the fluid can be conveyed from the reservoir (8) to the filter unit (2)
Implementation Method 2
a second centrifugal pump for the fluid (42) disposed in the second flow connection (32), by which a counter-pressure can be generated at the second fluid opening (22)
Implementation Method 3
the fluid for tangential flow filtration in the filter unit is guided substantially parallel to the filter element (25)
Implementation Method 4
uses magnetic levitation for precise pressure control
Data Source
AI summary
A device for tangential flow filtration includes a filter unit having first and second fluid openings, a filter element and a permeate opening, a first flow connection to connect the first fluid opening to a reservoir, a second flow connection to connect the second fluid opening to the reservoir, a first centrifugal pump in the first flow connection to convey the fluid from the reservoir to the filter unit, a first controller to actuate the first centrifugal pump, the filter unit designed such that the fluid for tangential flow filtration is capable of flowing substantially parallel to the filter element, a second centrifugal pump in the second flow connection, with which a counter-pressure is capable of being generated at the second fluid opening, and a second controller to actuate the second centrifugal pump.