FILTRATION

Removal of solid particles from a fluid by passing the

fluid through a filtering medium, or septum.

MECHANSIMS OF FILTRATION
(a) Clarifiers

* Also known as deep-bed filters.

* The particles of solid are trapped inside the filter
medium.

MECHANSIMS OF FILTRATION (2/3)

* A typical cartridge filter:

MECHANSIMS OF FILTRATION (3/3)

(b) Cake filters

* The filter medium is relatively thin, compared with that

of a clarifying filter.
* After the initial period, the cake of solids does the
filtration, not the septum.

* A visible cake of appreciable thickness builds up on the

surface and must be periodically removed.

EQUIPMENT FOR CONVENTIONAL FILTRATION

(1) Plate and Frame Filter Press

* The most common type, but less common for

bioseparations.
* Used where a relatively dry cake discharge is desired.
* Cake removal: open the whole assembly
Should not be used where there are toxic fumes or
biohazards.

EQUIPMENT FOR CONVENTIONAL FILTRATION (2/7)

(2) Horizontal Plate Filter:

* Filtration occurs from the top of each plate.

* Cake removal: removed with a sluicing nozzle or

discharged by rapidly rotating the leaves.

EQUIPMENT FOR CONVENTIONAL FILTRATION (3/7)

(3) Vertical Leaf Filter and Candle Type Vertical Tank

Filter:

EQUIPMENT FOR CONVENTIONAL FILTRATION (4/7)

(3) Vertical Leaf Filter and Candle Type Vertical Tank Filter (2/2):

* Have a relatively high filtration area per volume.

Require only a small floor area.

* Filter cake is formed on the external surface of the tubes.
* The tubes are cleaned by backwashing.

(4) Rotary Vacuum Filter:

* Rotate at a low speed during the operation.

* Pressure inside the drum is a partial vacuum.

Liquid is sucked through the filter cloth and solids
are retained on the surface of the drum.

EQUIPMENT FOR CONVENTIONAL FILTRATION (6/7)

* Three chief steps of the filtration cycle:

(1) cake formation
(2) cake washing (to remove either valuable or unwanted
solutes)
(3) cake discharge

EQUIPMENT FOR CONVENTIONAL FILTRATION (7/7)

* Being automated.
Have a lower labor cost.

* The workhorse of bioseparations.

* Common for large-scale operations whenever the solids
are difficult to filter.

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION
Filtration is a straightforward procedure
for well-defined crystals.
* Fermentation beers and other biological solutions are
notoriously hard to filter, because of: (1) high, nonnewtonian viscosity, and (2) highly compressible filter cakes.
Conventional filtration is often too slow to be practical.
The filtration requires pretreatment: heating,
coagulation and flocculation, or adsorption on
filter aid.

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (2/12)

A. Heating
* To improve the feeds handling characteristics.
(Thinking of filtering a dilution solution of egg white.)
* The simplest pretreatment (and the least expensive).

* Chief constraint: thermal stability of the product.

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (3/12)

B. Coagulation and Flocculation

* Through the addition of electrolytes.
* Types of coagulants:
(1) Simple electrolytes (such as ferric chloride, alum,
or acids and bases)
(2) Synthetic polyelectrolytes
coagulation

flocculation

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (4/12)

* Action of simple electrolytes: reduce the electrostatic

repulsion existing between colloidal particles.
* Action of synthetic polyelectrolytes:
(1) Reduce electrostatic repulsion

(2) Adsorb on adjacent particles

* Commercially available polyelectrolytes (can be anionic,
cationic, or nonionic): polyacrylamides, polyethylenimines,
and polyamine derivatives.

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (5/12)

* The effect of
pH on filtrate
volume for
Streptomyces
griseus:

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (6/12)

C. Adsorption on Filter Aids

* Why filter-aid filtration?
Two major problems can be reduced:

(1) High compressibility of the accumulated

biomass
(2) Penetration of small particles into the filter
medium

Lengthen the filtration cycle; improve

the quality of the filtered liquor.

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (7/12)

* The effect of
filter aid on
filtrate volume
for Streptomyces
griseus:

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (8/12)

* The effect of pH and filter aid on filtrate volume for

Streptomyces griseus:

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (9/12)

* How does the filter-aid help?

(1) Give porosity to the filter cake.
Solids to be filtered

Porosity

Hard spheres of the same size

0.45

General cases

0.2-0.3

Compressible solids

Diatomaceous silica ()

0.9

(2) Create a very large surface to trap the gelatinous

precipitate.
Allow much more filtrate to be obtained before
eventually clogging up.

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (10/12)

* How to use filter-aid?

(1) Precoata thin layer (0.1 to 0.2 lb/ft2) of filter aid is
deposited on the filter medium prior to introducing
the filter feed to the system
- Protect the filter medium from fouling.
- Provide a finer matrix to exclude particles
from the filtrate.
(2) Body feedadd the filter aid to the filter feed

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (11/12)

-------------

____________________

PRETREATMENT OF FILTRATION (12/12)

* The use of filter-aid is mainly for removing small

amounts of unwanted particulate material.
It cannot deal with large quantities of precipitate
successfully.

* Types of filter-aid (the most effective):

(1) Diatomaceous earths such as Celite (consisting mainly of SiO2)
(2) Perlites (volcanic rock processed to yield an expanded form)

Note: some products like the aminoglycoside antibiotics

may irreversibly bind to diatomaceous earth.

GENERAL THEORY FOR FILTRATION

Darcys lawrelate the flow rate through a porous bed of
solids to the pressure drop causing that flow.
kP
v

v = velocity of the liquid

P = pressure drop across the bed of thickness
P/ = pressure gradient

= viscosity of the liquid

k = permeability of the bed, a proportionality
constant (dimension: L2)

* Like Ohms law, /k is the resistance of filtration.

GENERAL THEORY FOR FILTRATION (2/5)

Darcys law: v

kP

Strictly speaking, Darcys law holds only when

vd
5
(1 - )
where d is the particle size of the filter cake, is the
liquid density, and is the void fraction in the cake.
* Biological separations almost always obey this inequality.
For a batch filtration,
1 dV
v
A dt

1 dV kP

A dt

where V is the total volume of filtrate, A is the filter

area, and t is the time.

GENERAL THEORY FOR FILTRATION (3/5)

Two contributions to the filtration resistance:

R M RC
k
where RM is the resistance of the filter medium (constant),
and RC is the resistance of the cake (varies with V).
The basic differential equation for filtration at constant
pressure drop can thus be obtained as:
1 dV kP

A dt

1 dV
P

A dt ( RM RC )

GENERAL THEORY FOR FILTRATION (4/5)

Incompressible Cakes
V
RC a0
A

a = specific cake resistance, cm/g

0 = mass of cake solids per volume of filtrate
1 dV
P

A dt ( RM RC )

1 dV
P
A dt [a (V / A) R ] (I.C.: t = 0, V = 0)
0
M

At a0

V
2P

V RM
V
K B

A P
A

GENERAL THEORY FOR FILTRATION (5/5)

At a0 V RM
V

K

B
V
2P A P
A

At
Plot versus
V

V
a
0
Slope = K
A
2P

Known , 0, P a can be determined.

* Often, the medium resistance RM is insignificant, B = 0.
t

a0 V

2P A

[Example] A suspension containing 225 g of carbonyl iron

powder, Grade E, per liter of a solution of 0.01 N NaOH is
to be filtered, using a leaf filter. Estimate the size (area) of
the filter needed to obtain 100 lb of dry cake in 1 h of
filtration at a constant pressure drop of 20 psi. The cake is
incompressible. The specific cake resistance is 1011 ft/lb.
The resistance of the medium is taken as 0.1 in-1.
Solution:

At a0

V
2P

V RM

A P

mass of cake solid 225 g 28.32 L lb

3
0

14
.
0
lb/ft
volume of filtrate
L ft 3 453.6 g
100 lb
3
V volume of filtrate

7
.
1
ft
14.0 lb/ft 3
(To be continued)

[Example] A suspension containing 225 g of carbonyl iron powder, Grade E, per

liter of a solution of 0.01 N NaOH is to be filtered, using a leaf filter. Estimate the
size (area) of the filter needed to obtain 100 lb of dry cake in 1 h of filtration at a
constant pressure drop of 20 psi. The cake is incompressible. The specific cake
resistance is 1011 ft/lb. The resistance of the medium is taken as 0.1 in-1.

Solution (contd):

At a0

V
2P

V RM

A P

t = filtration time = 1 h
2.116 103 lb f /ft 2
lb - ft (3600) 2 s2
P 20 psi
32.2

2
2
14.7
psi
lb
s
h

= 1.2 1012 lb/ft-h2

a = specific cake resistance = 1011 ft/lb

RM = resistance of the medium = 0.1 in-1 = 1.2 ft-1

= viscosity of the liquid = 1 cp = 2.42 lb/ft-h (assumed)

(To be continued)

[Example] A suspension containing 225 g of carbonyl iron powder, Grade E, per

liter of a solution of 0.01 N NaOH is to be filtered, using a leaf filter. Estimate the
size (area) of the filter needed to obtain 100 lb of dry cake in 1 h of filtration at a
constant pressure drop of 20 psi. The cake is incompressible. The specific cake
resistance is 1011 ft/lb. The resistance of the medium is taken as 0.1 in-1.

Solution (contd):
At a0 V RM

V
2P A P
A(1) (2.42)(1011 )(14.0) 7.1 (2.42)(1.2)

7.1 2(1.2 1012 )

A
1.2 1012

A2 - 1.7 10-11A - 71.2 = 0

A = 8.4 ft2

[Example] Streptomyces Filtration from an Erythromycin Broth.

Using a test filter, we find the following data for a broth
containing the antibiotic erythromycin and added filter aid:

The filter leaf has a total area of 0.1 ft2 and the filtrate has a
viscosity of 1.1 cp. The pressure drop is 20 in. of mercury and
the feed contains 0.015 kg dry cake per liter. Determine the
specific cake resistance a and the medium resistance RM.
Solution:

At a0

V
2P

V RM

A P
(To be continued)

Example: Streptomyces Filtration from an Erythromycin Broth (contd)

Example: Streptomyces Filtration from an Erythromycin Broth (contd)

At a0

V
2P

V RM

A P

[Example] We have filtered a slurry of sitosterol at constant

pressure through a filtration medium consisting of a screen
support mounted across the end of a Pyrex pipe. We find
that the resistance of the filtration medium is negligible. We
also find the following data in a laboratory test:

On the basis of this laboratory test, predict the number of

frames (30 in 30 in 1 in thick) needed for a plate-andframe press. Estimate the time required for filtering a 63 kg
batch of steroid. In these calculations, assume that the feed
pump will deliver 10 psi and that the filtrate from the press
must be raised against the equivalent of 15 ft head.
(To be continued)

Example: filtering a slurry of sitosterol

Solution (contd):
(a) Predict the number of frames needed
62 g
3
Cake density

0
.
245
g/cm
253.3 cm3

63 103 g
5
3

2
.
57

10
cm
Cake volume of 63 kg steroid = 0.245 g/cm3
2.57 10 cm in
17.4
3

30 30 1 in 2.54 cm
5

Number of frames needed =

18 frames are needed.

(To be continued)

Example: filtering a slurry of sitosterol

Solution (contd):
(b) Time required for filtering a 63 kg batch of steroid
For incompressible cake with a negligible filter
medium resistance,
t

a0 V

2P A

a 1 0V
or t

2P 0 A

In the laboratory test:

a
62 g
163 min

2 (15 psi) 0
(5.08 cm) 2
4

a
min - psi - cm 4
2 261
2
g
0
(To be continued)

Example: filtering a slurry of sitosterol

Solution:
(b) Time required for filtering a 63 kg batch of steroid (contd)
a
min - psi - cm 4
261
In the laboratory test:
2 0
g2

In the large-scale operation:

2

2 2.54 cm
5
2
A 18 2 (30 30) in

2
.
09

10
cm
in

14.7 psi
P 10 psi - 15 ft head
3.5 psi

33.9 ft head (water)

a 1 0V
1 63,000
t

6.8 min

261
5
2 0 P A
3.5 2.09 10
2

GENERAL THEORY FOR FILTRATION: Compressible Cakes (1/3)

Compressible Cakes
Almost all cakes formed of biological materials are
compressible. As these cakes compress, filtration
rates drop.

To estimate the effects of compressibility, we assume that

the cake resistance a is a function of the pressure drop.

a a ' (P)

V
Recall: RC a0
A

where a = a constant related largely to the size and shape

of the particles forming the cake

s = the cake compressibility

GENERAL THEORY FOR FILTRATION: Compressible Cakes (2/3)

a a ' (P) s log a log a ' s log P

Plot loga versus logP, slope = s, intercept = loga.

GENERAL THEORY FOR FILTRATION: Compressible Cakes (3/3)

a a ' (P)

V
R

Recall: C
0
A

For a rigid, incompressible cake, s = 0.

For a highly compressible cake, s 1.

In practice, s ranges from 0.1-0.8.
When values of s are high, one should consider pretreating
the feed with filter aids.

[Example] Filtration of Beer Containing Protease. We have a

suspension of Bacillus subtilis fermented to produce the enzyme
protease. To separate the biomass, we have added 1.3 times the
biomass of a Celatom filter aid, yielding a beer containing 3.6
wt% solid, with a viscosity of 6.6 cp. With a Buchner funnel 5
cm in diameter attached to an aspirator, we have found that we
can filter 100 cm3 of this beer in 24 min. However, previous
studies with this type of beer have had a compressible cake with
s equal to 2/3.
We now need to filter 3000 L of this material in a pilot
plants plate-and-frame press. This press has 15 frames, each
of area 3520 cm2. The spacing between these frames can be
made large, so that we can filter all the beer in one single run.
The resistance of the filter medium is much smaller than the
filter cake, and the total pressure drop that can be used is 65 psi.
How long will it take to filter this beer at 50 psi?
(To be continued)

Example: Filtration of Beer Containing Protease

Solution (contd):
Negligible RM t

a0 V

2P A

s
Compressible cake, a a ' (P)

a' 0 V
2P

1- s

Laboratory test:
P = 14.7 psi (a Buchner funnel attached to an aspirator)

A=

(5 cm) 2 ;V = 100 cm3; t = 24 min; s = 2/3

4
2

100 cm3
a' 0
24 min

2(14.7 psi)1 / 3 (5 cm) 2

4

a0 = 4.53 min psi1/3 cm-2

(To be continued)

Example: Filtration of Beer Containing Protease

Solution (contd):

a' 0 V
1/3 cm-2
;
a

=
4.53
min
psi
t

0
1- s
2

2P

Pilot-plant operation:
V = 3000 L = 3 106 cm3
A = 15 2 3520 cm2 (Filtration occurs on both sides of the
frame.)

a' 0 V

4.53 3 10

t

1- s
1/ 3
2P A 2(50) 15 2 3520
2

= 496 min = 8.3 h

#

ANALYSIS OF CONTINUOUS ROTARY

VACUUM FILTERS
There are three
stages involved in the
operation:
(1) cake formation
(2) cake washing

(3) cake discharge

(not affecting
the filter size
and the cycle
time)

ANALYSIS OF CONTINUOUS ROTARY VACUUM FILTERS (2/8)

Cake Formation

For compressible cake and negligible medium resistance,

a' 0 V
a' 0 V f
t

or t f
1- s
1- s
2P A
2P A
2

where tf = cake formation time

Vf = volume of filtrate collected during the period
of tf
A = filtration area (submerged area of filter)

ANALYSIS OF CONTINUOUS ROTARY VACUUM FILTERS (3/8)

Cake Formation (contd)

tf

a' 0 V f
1- s

2P

Let tf = btc and A = bAT

a' 0 V f

bt c
1- s
2P bAT

where tc = cycle time

AT = total filter area
b = fraction of the drum submerged

ANALYSIS OF CONTINUOUS ROTARY VACUUM FILTERS (4/8)

Cake Washing
Two factors involved in the stage of cake washing:
(1) The fraction of soluble material remained after the wash
Governing the volume of wash liquid required.
(2) The rate of wash liquid passes through the cake
Controlling the fraction of cycle time for cake
washing.

ANALYSIS OF CONTINUOUS ROTARY VACUUM FILTERS (5/8)

Two factors involved in the stage of cake washing:

(1) The fraction of soluble material remained after the wash
Governing the volume of wash liquid required.

An empirical equation for the fraction of soluble material

remained:

r (1 - ) n
where r = ratio of soluble material remained after the
wash to that originally present in the cake
n = volume of wash liquid divided by the volume
of retained liquid
= washing efficiency of the cake

ANALYSIS OF CONTINUOUS ROTARY VACUUM FILTERS (6/8)

Two factors involved in the stage of cake washing:

(2) The rate of wash liquid passes through the cake
Controlling the fraction of cycle time for cake washing.

The wash liquid contains no additional

solids.
(1) The cake thickness is constant.
The flow of wash liquid is
constant.
(2) Wash rate
= filtration rate at the end of cake formation

ANALYSIS OF CONTINUOUS ROTARY VACUUM FILTERS (7/8)

Wash rate

1 dVw Vw

A dt
At w

where Vw = volume of wash water required, and tw = time

required for washing.
1 dV
Filtration rate at the end of cake formation =
A dt
t

a' 0 V
2P

1- s

V 2( P) t
or

A a' 0

1 dV
Wash rate
A dt

1- s

1/ 2

( P)
d V

dt A t t f 2a' 0t f
1- s

t t f

Vw ( P)

At w 2a' 0 t f
1- s

1/ 2

t t f

1/ 2

ANALYSIS OF CONTINUOUS ROTARY VACUUM FILTERS (8/8)

A useful expression:

Vw ( P)

At w 2 a' 0t f
1- s

1/ 2

2( P)
Vf
and

At f a' 0t f

Vw 2a' 0t f
tw
A ( P)1- s

1- s

1/ 2

1/ 2

V f a' 0t f
and t f
A 2( P)1- s

1/ 2

tw
Vw
V w Vr

2
2nf

tf
Vf
Vr V f

where Vr = volume of liquid retained

f = ratio of the volume of retained liquid (Vr) to
the volume of filtrate (Vf)

[Example] It is desired to filter a cell broth at a rate of

2000 L/h on a rotary vacuum filter at a vacuum pressure of
70 kPa. The cycle time for the drum is 60 s, and the cake
formation time is 15 s. The broth to be filtered has a
viscosity of 2.0 cp and a cake solid per volume of filtrate of
10 g/L. From laboratory tests, the specific cake resistance
has been determined to be 9 1010 cm/g. Determine the
area of the filter that is required.
Solution:
For incompressible cake,
tf

a 0 V f

2P A

or A2

a 0V f2
2t f P

(To be continued)

Example: Determine the area of a rotary vacuum filter

Solution (contd):
g
2 cp 0.02
cm - s ;

g
g
cm
-3

10

10

10
; 0
a 9 10
L
cm3
g
10

h
3 cm
3

V f 2000 10

(
15
s)

8333
cm
3600 s
h

P 70 kPa 70 10 3

N kg - m 1000 g m
g
5

7
.
0

10
m 2 N - s 2 kg 100 cm
cm - s 2

a0V f2

(0.02)(9 1010 )(10 10 -3 )(8333) 2

7
4
A

5
.
95

10
cm
2t f P
2(15)(7.0 105 )
2

A = 7715 cm2 = 0.7715 m2

AT A

tc
60
0.7715 3.09 m 2
tf
15

[Example] We want to filter 15,000 L/h of a beer containing

erythromycin using a rotary vacuum filter originally
purchased for another product. Our filter has a cycle time
of 50 s and an area of 37.2 m2. It operates under a vacuum
of 20 in Hg. The pretreated broth forms an incompressible
cake with the resistance:
a0
2
2P

29 s/cm

We want to wash the cake until only 1% of the retained

solubles is left, and we expect that the washing efficiency
will be 70% and that 1% of the filtrate is retained. (a)
Calculate the filtration time per cycle. (b) Find the washing
time.
Solution:
For incompressible cake,

a0 V f

t f bt c
2P bAT

(To be continued)

Example: Filtration of erythromycin using rotary vacuum filter

Solution (contd):
For incompressible cake,

a0 V f

t f bt c
2P bAT

h
3
3
V f (15,000 L/h) (50 b s)

208
b
L

208
b

10
cm
3600 s

tc = 50 s
AT = 37.2 m2 = 37.2 104 cm2

a0
2P

29 s/cm2

a0 V f

tf
2P bAT

208b 103
29
9.1 s
4
b 37.2 10

(To be continued)

Example: Filtration of erythromycin using rotary vacuum filter

(b) Find the washing time.

Solution (contd):

tw
2nf and r (1 - ) n
tf
Fraction of retained solubles, r = 0.01
Washing efficiency, = 0.7
Fraction of filtrate retained, f = 0.01
r = 0.01 = (1 - 0.7)n n = 3.82

tw = 2nf tf = 2 3.82 0.01 9.1 = 0.7 s

Application of Rotary Vacuum Filter

* It is commonly used to recover yeast and mycelia.

* Filtration of bacterial fermentation broth will usually

require a precoat of filter aid.
* The separation of cell debris is performed by adding
filter aid to the feed liquor.

CENTRIFUGAL
FILTRATION
* A combination of a
centrifuge and a filter.
* Accumulated solids
can be washed.

CENTRIFUGAL FILTRATION (2/8)

CENTRIFUGAL FILTRATION (3/8)

Hydrostatic Equilibrium in a Centrifugal Field

In a rotating centrifuge, a layer of liquid is thrown outward
from the axis of rotation and is held against the wall of the
bowl by centrifugal force.

CENTRIFUGAL FILTRATION (4/8)

Consider a volume element of

thickness dr at a radius r,

dF r 2 dm ; dm (2rh)dr
dF = centrifugal force
dm = mass of liquid in the element
= angular velocity
= density of the liquid
h = height of the ring
dF 2h 2 r 2 dr and - dP

dF
2 rdr
2rh

1
Integration P1 - P2 -P 2 (r22 - r12 )
2

CENTRIFUGAL FILTRATION (5/8)

Principles of Centrifugal Filtration

Darcys law:
v

kP
P 1
or
v

P
1
a0 v
Set a0

For centrifugal filtration, the

pressure drop varies with the
radius, thus
R1 = radius of the surface of feed
solution
Rc = radius of the cakes interface

dP
a0 v
dr

CENTRIFUGAL FILTRATION (6/8)

dP
a0 v
dr

(Note: v varies with r.)

Q
The total volumetric flow rate, Q = (2rh)v; or v
2rh
dP
Q
a0

dr
2rh

Q R0
Integration - P a0
ln
2h Rc

* Note: Rc is a function of time, and so is Q; however, Q is

not a function of r.
The pressure drop (-P) is due to the centrifugal force on
the liquid.

1
- P 2 ( R02 - R12 )
2

h 2 ( R02 - R12 )
Q
a0 ln( R0 / Rc )

CENTRIFUGAL FILTRATION (7/8)

h 2 ( R02 - R12 )
Q
a0 ln( R0 / Rc )

Mass balance for the solids:

0V c ( R02 - Rc2 )h

(where c = cake density)

dRc 2h ( R02 - R12 )

dV ch
Q

(-2 Rc )

dt
0
dt
a0 ln( R0 / Rc )

dRc 2 ( R02 - R12 )

1

dt
2 c a
Rc ln( R0 / Rc )
I. C.: t = 0, Rc = R0

CENTRIFUGAL FILTRATION (8/8)

dRc 2 ( R02 - R12 )

1

dt
2 c a
Rc ln( R0 / Rc )
I. C.: t = 0, Rc = R0

The integrated expression is complex,

and can be approximated as:
R
ac R
0

t
2 2 ( R02 - R12 ) Rc

2
c

R0
- 1 - 2 ln

Rc

This is the desired result to find the time needed for

obtaining a cake of thickness (R0 - Rc).
* Recalling that for a flat cake, t

a0 V

2P A

[Example] We can filter 250 cm3 of a slurry, containing

0.016 g progesterone () per cm3, in 32 min. Our filter
has a surface area of 8.3 cm2, a pressure drop of 1 atm, and
a filter medium of negligible resistance. The solids in the
cake have a density of 1.09 g/cm3, and the slurry density is
that of water.
We want to use this experiment to estimate the time to
filter 1,600 liters of this slurry through a centrifugal filter.
The filter has a basket of 51 cm radius and 45 cm height. It
rotates at 530 rpm. When it is spinning, the liquid and cake
together are 5.5 cm thick. How long will this filtration take?
Solution:

R
ac R
0

t
2 2 ( R02 - R12 ) Rc

2
c

R
- 1 - 2 ln 0

Rc

Need data of a and Rc.

(To be continued)

Example: filtration of progesterone (2/3)

[Example] We can filter 250 cm3 of a slurry, containing 0.016 g

progesterone () per cm3, in 32 min. Our filter has a surface
area of 8.3 cm2, a pressure drop of 1 atm, and a filter medium of
negligible resistance. The solids in the cake have a density of 1.09 g/cm3,
and the slurry density is that of water.

Solution (contd):
In the laboratory test, t

a0 V

2P A

t = 32 min = 1920 s; 0 = 0.016 g/cm3

V = 250 cm3; A = 8.3 cm2
1.01 106 dyne/cm2 g - cm/s2
g
6
P 1 atm

1
.
01

10
dyne
2
atm
cm
s

1920

a(0.016 ) 250

2(1.01 10 ) 8.3
6

a = 2.67 108 s-1

(To be continued)

Example: filtration of progesterone (3/3)

Solution (contd):
R
ac R
0

Using centrifugal filtration, t

2 2 ( R02 - R12 ) Rc

2
c

R
- 1 - 2 ln 0

Rc

a = 2.67 108 s-1 ; c = 1.09 g/cm3 ; = 1.0 g/cm3

= 530 rpm = 55.47 s-1 ; R0 = 51 cm ;
R1 = 51 - 5.5 = 45.5 cm
2
2
Mass balance for solids: 0V c ( R0 - Rc )h

(0.016)(1,600 103) = (1.09)[(51)2 - Rc2](45)

Rc = 49.3 cm
2
(2.67 108 )(1.09)( 49.3) 2 51
51
t
- 1 - 2 ln
466 s
2
2
2
2(1.0)(55.47) (51 - 45.5 ) 49.3
49.3