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Enhancement of protein precipitate strength and density by low-frequency conditioning

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Abstract

The use of a continuous, low-frequency conditioning process to alter the structure of protein precipitate aggregates is examined. An increase in the density of aggregates is correlated with the levels of fluid acceleration and hence hydrodynamic stress to which the aggregates are exposed during conditioning. A combination of low-frequency conditioning followed by shear break-up (as in the feed zone to a high-speed disk-stack centrifuge) is shown to result in a precipitate suspension of increased particle size at the fine end of the distribution, and having a greater sedimentation velocity. The resistance of large aggregates to shear disruption is increased by low-frequency conditioning.

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Abbreviations

CR :

conditioning ratio

CRS :

conditioning ratio after shearing

d m:

amplitude of displacement

D μm:

particle size

D c μm:

critical size for centrifuge recovery

f s−1 :

frequency of vibration

G s−1 :

mean velocity gradient

Q m3/s:

volumetric throughput

SR :

shear ratio

t s:

ageing time

γ s−1 :

mass-average shear rate

K :

sedimentation shape factor

ϱ a kg/m3 :

aggregate density

ϱ f kg/m3 :

fluid density

ϱ s kg/m3 :

solids density

Δϱ kg/m3 :

aggregate-suspension density difference

η Ns/m2 :

kinematic viscosity

σ :

amplitude of pulse ratio (ref. 23, 9)

τ s:

mean residence time

φ s :

solids volume fraction

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, WC1E 7JE, London, UK

    N. J. Titchener-Hooker

  2. Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Protein Fractionation Centre, Ellen's Glen Road, EH17 7QT, Edinburgh, UK

    R. V. McIntosh

Authors
  1. N. J. Titchener-Hooker
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  2. R. V. McIntosh
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Titchener-Hooker, N.J., McIntosh, R.V. Enhancement of protein precipitate strength and density by low-frequency conditioning. Bioprocess Eng. 8, 91–97 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00369270

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00369270

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