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Cunha F, Zuponcic J, Rossi F, Springer G, Ximenes E, Bruns N, Moomaw JF, Bowes BD, Qian KK, Yu Z, Yang D, Corvari VJ, Ardekani A, Reklaitis G, Ladisch M. Intramodule pressure profiles and protein accumulation during tangential flow filtration. Biotechnol Prog 2024; 40:e3389. [PMID: 37747847 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Tangential flow filtration (TFF) through a 30 kDa nominal molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) ultrafiltration membrane is widely employed to concentrate purified monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to levels required for their formulation into injectable biologics. While TFF has been used to remove casein from milk for cheese production for over 35 years, and in pharmaceutical manufacture of biotherapeutic proteins for 20 years, the rapid decline in filtration rate (i.e., flux) at high protein concentrations is a limitation that still needs to be addressed. This is particularly important for mAbs, many of which are 140-160 kDa immunoglobulin G (IgG) type proteins recovered at concentrations of 200 mg/mL or higher. This work reports the direct measurement of local transmembrane pressure drops and off-line confocal imaging of protein accumulation in stagnant regions on the surface of a 30 kDa regenerated cellulose membrane in a flat-sheet configuration widely used in manufacture of biotherapeutic proteins. These first-of-a-kind measurements using 150 kDa bovine IgG show that while axial pressure decreases by 58 psi across a process membrane cassette, the decrease in transmembrane pressure drop is constant at about 1.2 psi/cm along the 20.7 cm length of the membrane. Confocal laser scanning microscopy of the membrane surface at the completion of runs where retentate protein concentration exceeds 200 mg/mL, shows a 50 μm thick protein layer is uniformly deposited. The localized measurements made possible by the modified membrane system confirm the role of protein deposition on limiting ultrafiltration rate and indicate possible targets for improving membrane performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Cunha
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Jessica Zuponcic
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Francesco Rossi
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Grant Springer
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Eduardo Ximenes
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Norvin Bruns
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - John F Moomaw
- Bioproduct Research and Development, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Brian D Bowes
- Bioproduct Research and Development, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ken K Qian
- Bioproduct Research and Development, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Zhao Yu
- Bioproduct Research and Development, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Dennis Yang
- Bioproduct Research and Development, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Vincent J Corvari
- Bioproduct Research and Development, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Arezoo Ardekani
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Gintaras Reklaitis
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| | - Michael Ladisch
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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Arandia K, Karna NK, Mattsson T, Theliander H. Monitoring Membrane Fouling Using Fluid Dynamic Gauging: Influence of Feed Characteristics and Operating Conditions. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:834. [PMID: 37888006 PMCID: PMC10608854 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13100834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies on membrane fouling have made considerable progress in reducing its adverse effects. However, a lack of comprehensive studies focusing on the underlying fouling mechanisms remains. This work aims to address a part of this gap by investigating the influence of feed suspension chemistry and operating conditions on the fouling characteristics of microcrystalline cellulose. Fluid dynamic gauging (FDG) was employed to monitor the properties of fouling layers under varied conditions. FDG results revealed that the cohesive strength of fouling layers increased in the direction towards the membrane, which can be associated with the higher compressive pressures exerted on foulants deposited near the surface. At lower pHs and higher ionic strengths, reduced electrostatic repulsions between particles likely resulted in particle agglomeration, leading to the formation of thicker cakes. In addition, thicker cake layers were also observed at higher feed concentrations, higher operating transmembrane pressures, and longer filtration times. The cross-flow velocity influenced the resilience of fouling layers significantly, resulting in thinner yet stronger cake layers in the transition and turbulent flow regimes. These findings regarding the influence of feed characteristics and operating conditions on the fouling behavior can be beneficial in developing effective antifouling strategies in membrane separation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Arandia
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; (N.K.K.); (H.T.)
- Wallenberg Wood Science Center, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nabin Kumar Karna
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; (N.K.K.); (H.T.)
- Wallenberg Wood Science Center, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tuve Mattsson
- Center for Membrane Technology, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark;
| | - Hans Theliander
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; (N.K.K.); (H.T.)
- Wallenberg Wood Science Center, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
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Bouhid de Aguiar I, Schroën K. Microfluidics Used as a Tool to Understand and Optimize Membrane Filtration Processes. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:E316. [PMID: 33138236 PMCID: PMC7692330 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10110316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Membrane filtration processes are best known for their application in the water, oil, and gas sectors, but also in food production they play an eminent role. Filtration processes are known to suffer from a decrease in efficiency in time due to e.g., particle deposition, also known as fouling and pore blocking. Although these processes are not very well understood at a small scale, smart engineering approaches have been used to keep membrane processes running. Microfluidic devices have been increasingly applied to study membrane filtration processes and accommodate observation and understanding of the filtration process at different scales, from nanometer to millimeter and more. In combination with microscopes and high-speed imaging, microfluidic devices allow real time observation of filtration processes. In this review we will give a general introduction on microfluidic devices used to study membrane filtration behavior, followed by a discussion of how microfluidic devices can be used to understand current challenges. We will then discuss how increased knowledge on fundamental aspects of membrane filtration can help optimize existing processes, before wrapping up with an outlook on future prospects on the use of microfluidics within the field of membrane separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabella Bouhid de Aguiar
- Membrane Science and Technology—Membrane Processes for Food, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands;
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Weeranoppanant N, Amar LI, Tong E, Faria M, Hill MI, Leonard EF. Modeling of fouling in cross-flow microfiltration of suspensions. AIChE J 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/aic.16412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Levy I. Amar
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering; Columbia University; New York NY, 10027
| | - Evelyn Tong
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering; Columbia University; New York NY, 10027
| | - Monica Faria
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering; Columbia University; New York NY, 10027
| | - Michael I. Hill
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering; Columbia University; New York NY, 10027
| | - Edward F. Leonard
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering; Columbia University; New York NY, 10027
- Dept. of Chemical Engineering; Columbia University; New York NY, 10027
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