A unified model for flux prediction during batch cell ultrafiltration

Abstract

An analysis of the flux decline encountered during ultrafiltration (UF) in a batch cell is presented by including the combined influence of the osmotic pressure and the gel layer. A predictive model for the flux decline in unstirred and stirred batch cell UF processes is developed by unifying the osmotic pressure and gel layer models. UF experiments were performed in a batch cell with polymeric solutes (PEG, dextran and PVA) and a protein (BSA), ranging widely in molecular weights and physico-chemical properties, under various operating conditions (pressure, solution pH, and stirrer speed). The present unified model predictions match closely with the experimental flux behaviour for all cases, while individual osmotic pressure and gel layer models are found to be inadequate.