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Performance prediction of industrial centrifuges using scale-down models

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Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics was used to model the high flow forces found in the feed zone of a multichamber-bowl centrifuge and reproduce these in a small, high-speed rotating disc device. Linking the device to scale-down centrifugation, permitted good estimation of the performance of various continuous-flow centrifuges (disc stack, multichamber bowl, CARR Powerfuge TM) for shear-sensitive protein precipitates. Critically, the ultra scale-down centrifugation process proved to be a much more accurate predictor of production multichamber-bowl performance than was the pilot centrifuge.

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Abbreviations

BL :

caulk width, m

C :

centrifugation correction factor

Ca :

Camp number

Clar :

clarification, %

FL :

correction factor for caulks on discs in centrifuge

Ḡ :

mean velocity gradient, s−1

g :

gravitational constant, m/s2

L :

length, m

N :

rotational speed, r/s

n :

number of discs

Q :

flow rate, m3/s

R :

radius, m

r :

radius, m

Re :

Reynolds number

t :

time, s

V :

volume, m3

x :

fractional acceleration time

y :

fractional deceleration time

ZL :

number of caulks on a disc in the centrifuge

ε :

energy dissipation rate, W/kg

θ :

half disc angle, rad

ρ :

density, kg/m

Σ :

equivalent settling area, m2

ω :

angular velocity, rad/s

ds:

disc-stack centrifuge

i:

inner

L:

liquid

mc:

multichamber-bowl centrifuge

n:

number

o:

outer

ref:

reference

tb:

tubular-bowl centrifuge

References

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Acknowledgements

The support by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for the Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (IMRC) for Bioprocessing is gratefully acknowledged. The IMRC is part of the Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering at UCL, and the support of the collaborating companies is also gratefully acknowledged. M. Boychyn acknowledges the support of Bio Products Laboratory, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the ORS Council, University of London.

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Author notes

  1. M. Boychyn

    Present address: Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, IN, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK

    M. Boychyn, S. S. S. Yim, D. G. Bracewell & M. Hoare

  2. Bio Products Laboratory, Dagger Lane, Elstree, Hertfordshire, WD6 3BX, UK

    M. Bulmer & J. More

  3. The EPSRC IMRC for Bioprocessing, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK

    D. G. Bracewell & M. Hoare

Authors
  1. M. Boychyn
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  2. S. S. S. Yim
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  3. M. Bulmer
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  4. J. More
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  5. D. G. Bracewell
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  6. M. Hoare
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Hoare.

Additional information

Paper presented in part at the International Conference on Trends in Monitoring and Control of Life Science Applications, 7–8 October 2002, Lyngby, Denmark

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Boychyn, M., Yim, S.S.S., Bulmer, M. et al. Performance prediction of industrial centrifuges using scale-down models. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 26, 385–391 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-003-0328-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-003-0328-y

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