Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods for the separation of a molecule of interest from a solution containing the molecule using dual stage tangential-flow ultrafiltration (“TFF”). In particular, the methods of the invention are directed to the processing of crude feed streams such as conditioned cell culture supernatant to dramatically reduce contaminant and/or impurity levels prior to subsequent, i.e., downstream, refining unit operations. The methods of the invention may be used in the processing of a crude feed stream from biological production systems such as fermentation or other cell culture process, and may further eliminate the need for time consuming impurity precipitation (e.g., pH driven) and/or precipitate filtration processes prior to downstream processes that are sensitive to high impurity loads such as chromatographic unit operations. The disclosed dual stage TFF process combines at least two TFF unit operations that may be advantageously conducted at a pH that corresponds to or is about that of the pH of the feed stream, e.g., a cell culture supernatant, typically a pH of 7.5±1.0. The use of the TFF unit operations to supplement, improve or replace traditional processes for purification of proteins of interest for a feed stream may represent significant savings in both direct and indirect processing costs, For example, in addition to indirect savings by eliminating precipitation and precipitate filtration processes, the reduction in impurity loads effected by the dual stage TFF unit operations may result in indirect savings by improving downstream column performance, e.g., chromatographic separation, dynamic binding capacity, operational lifetime and/or a reduction of the required column size. In particular embodiments, the methods of the invention are used in processes for the purification of immunoglobulin molecules, e.g., antibodies, which processes are devoid of affinity purification steps, e.g., protein A affinity chromatography purification.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a monolithic membrane filter for filtering liquids, comprising: a support member composed of a porous inorganic material with a permeability Ks, said support member having a tubular shape with a main axis, an upstream base, a downstream base, a peripheral surface and an inner portion; a plurality of channels parallel with the main axis of the support member, formed in the inner portion of the latter, said channels being separated from each other by internal walls composed of the porous inorganic material; at least one slot formed in the inner portion of the support member and opening onto the peripheral surface such that the filter has an outer surface formed by the peripheral surface of the support member and the surface of said at least one slot; and a membrane, with a permeability Km and a mean thickness tm, covering the inner surface of the channels; characterised in that the mean distance of travel D, defined by the arithmetic mean of the minimum distances between the center of each channel and the outer surface of the filter, satisfies the following relationship: D = a*exp(B)*(Kstm/Km)A, in which α is a coefficient in the range of 0.0008 to 0.0012; A = -21.5*0c +15.4*pi + 0.16*0f + 0.31; and B = 561 *pi + 101 0c + 1.16; where 0c is the mean hydraulic diameter of the channels, 0f is the hydraulic diameter of the filter and pi is the mean thickness of the inner walls.
Abstract:
A membrane device and processes for fabrication and for using are disclosed. The membrane device may include a number of porous metal membranes that provide a high membrane surface area per unit volume. The membrane device provides various operation modes that enhance throughput and selectivity for mass exchange, mass transfer, separation, and/or filtration applications between feed flow streams and permeate flow streams.
Abstract:
A filtration system (10), in particular for a low volume tangential flow filtration process, comprises a filter device (24) including at least one membrane (18), and at least one input (12) for supplying a feed stream to a retentate loop (14). The retentate loop (14) includes a pump (16) for circulating the feed stream along one side of the membrane (18). The filtration system (10) further comprises a retentate output (22) allowing retentate to exit the retentate loop (14), and a permeate output (20) allowing permeate to exit the feed stream at the other side of the membrane (18). The filtration system (10) is characterised by a viscometer (42) integrated in the retentate loop (14).
Abstract:
La présente invention concerne un procédé de traitement d'un liquide aqueux comprenant des gouttes d'huile et un tensioactif et/ou une base. Pour ce procédé, on détermine un seuil de taille de pores d'un filtre en prenant en compte la tension interfaciale entre les gouttes d'huile et l'eau, et on choisit un filtre dont la taille des pores est inférieure ou égale à ce seuil pour la filtration du liquide aqueux.
Abstract:
A simulator device configured to replace a filtration unit in a crossflow filtration system comprises a feed inlet (41), a first flow path (43) connected to the feed inlet (41) for simulating a retentate flow in the filtration unit, and a second flow path (44) connected to the feed inlet (for simulating a permeate flow in the filtration unit. Adjustable valve means (45, 46) are provided for controlling at least one of the simulated retentate flow and the simulated permeate flow.
Abstract:
L'invention concerne un procédé de fractionnement des fractions solubles de pois, comprenant la succession d'une étape de microfiltration ou de centrifugation, suivie d'une étape d'ultrafiltration, et d'une éventuelle étape d'osmose inverse. On parvient ainsi à réduire la fuite de protéines vers les fractions solubles, à améliorer le rendement de l'étape unitaire de concentration par évaporation des fractions solubles, et on réussit à isoler de manière sélective les protéines d'intérêt. Il s'agit en outre d'un procédé simple à mettre en oeuvre, les dispositifs utilisés au niveau de chaque étape unitaire étant classiques et bien connus de l'homme du métier. Qui plus est, le procédé objet de la présente invention est exempt de tout solvant organique autre que l'eau.
Abstract:
L'invention concerne un procédé de fractionnement des fractions solubles de pois, comprenant la succession d'une étape de microfiltration ou de centrifugation, suivie d'une étape d'ultrafiltration, et d'une éventuelle étape d'osmose inverse. On parvient ainsi à réduire la fuite de protéines vers les fractions solubles, à améliorer le rendement de l'étape unitaire de concentration par évaporation des fractions solubles, et on réussit à isoler de manière sélective les protéines d'intérêt. Il s'agit en outre d'un procédé simple à mettre en oeuvre, les dispositifs utilisés au niveau de chaque étape unitaire étant classiques et bien connus de l'homme du métier. Qui plus est, le procédé objet de la présente invention est exempt de tout solvant organique autre que l'eau.
Abstract:
L'invention concerne un procédé de fractionnement des fractions solubles de pois, comprenant la succession d'une étape de microfiltration ou de centrifugation, suivie d'une étape d'ultrafiltration. On parvient ainsi à réduire la fuite de protéines vers les fractions solubles, à améliorer le rendement de l'étape unitaire de concentration par évaporation des fractions solubles, et on réussit à isoler de manière sélective les protéines d'intérêt. Celles-ci sont les albumines du retentat d'ultrafiltration. Il s'agit en outre d'un procédé simple à mettre en oeuvre, les dispositifs utilisés au niveau de chaque étape unitaire étant classiques et bien connus de l'homme du métier. Qui plus est, le procédé objet de la présente invention est exempt de tout solvant organique autre que l'eau.