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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Three-Dimensionally Printed Microfluidic Cross-flow System for Ultrafiltration/Nanofiltration Membrane Performance Testing
Published on: February 13, 2016
Mimic of a large-scale diafiltration process by using ultra scale-down rotating disc filter
Guijun Ma1, Jean Aucamp, Spyridon Gerontas
1Dept. of Biochemical Engineering, The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK.
This study introduces an ultra-scale-down rotating disc filter method to accurately predict large-scale filtration performance using minimal sample volumes. The novel approach simplifies operations while maintaining crossflow mimicry for reliable process development.
Area of Science:
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Membrane Filtration Technology
- Scale-down Modeling
Background:
- Accurate prediction of large-scale bioprocess performance is crucial for efficient development.
- Traditional lab-scale methods often require significant material, limiting early-stage process optimization.
- Ultra-scale-down (USD) approaches offer a solution for evaluating process performance with minimal sample volumes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an ultra-scale-down rotating disc filter (USD-RDF) method for mimicking lab-scale crossflow filtration performance.
- To enable accurate prediction of flux and transmission in large-scale filtration processes using minimal sample volumes.
- To establish reliable correlations for wall shear rates between lab-scale and USD devices.
Main Methods:
- Modification of a rotating disc filter (RDF) with inserts to achieve a flexible chamber volume of 1.5 mL for diafiltration experiments.
- Development of a mimic by operating lab-scale cassettes and the USD device under equivalent averaged wall shear rates.
- Establishment of wall shear rate correlations for both lab-scale cassettes and the USD device.
Main Results:
- The USD-RDF method successfully mimicked flux and transmission performance of lab-scale crossflow operations.
- Flux versus transmembrane pressure followed a first-order model for E. coli lysate.
- Antibody fragment (Fab') transmission was found to be independent of transmembrane pressure.
- Predicted flux and transmission data showed good agreement with experimental results.
Conclusions:
- The developed USD-RDF method provides a simple yet accurate approach to mimic large-scale crossflow filtration performance.
- This technique significantly reduces the sample volume required for process evaluation, facilitating early-stage bioprocess development.
- The established wall shear rate correlations ensure reliable scale-up predictions from USD to pilot and industrial scales.
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