Modeling mass transfer and hydrodynamics in fluidized‐bed adsorption of proteins

Abstract

AbstractA model was developed and solved to describe protein adsorption in a fluidized bed. Liquid‐solid mass transfer, adsorption and hydrodynamic effects were taken into account. The model was examined for both pore and homogeneous diffusion. The simulation results showed close agreement with experimental breakthrough curves obtained for lysozyme adsorption on Streamline SP and S‐HyperD LS resins at expansions of 2, 3 and 4 times the settled‐bed height. Parametric sensitivity analysis showed that superficial velocity and particle radius had the largest effects on breakthrough behavior for all conditions. The effect of axial dispersion, film mass transfer and solid diffusion coefficients were less significant contributors to breakthrough at all expansions and bulk phase viscosities. The simulation results for pore diffusion were affected more significantly by changes in superficial velocity and particle radius than the simulution results for homogeneous diffusion. The performance of the fluidized‐bed adsorption unit was limited by intraparticle mass‐transfer effects, especially at high degrees of bed expansion.