Novel processes for cell recovery technology developments

Abstract

AbstractThis paper emphasises the new technical and economic processing demands presented by cell recovery processes, and the new incentives to innovate within the commercial biotechnological environment. In general, solid‐liquid separation technology has been a slow developer, and there has been little incentive to innovate. There are exceptions, such as the solid‐liquid handling/separation techniques developed in the nuclear industry, where the demanding process requirements, and to some extent economics, have dictated the need to innovate. In this paper such techniques as electrocoagulation, electrophoresis and dielectrophoresis, magnetism, ultrasonics and novel micro‐flotation are reviewed and their potentials assessed. This is done with special reference to the future implications of developing fermentation practice such as immobilised cell technology, separative fermentation; to application during novel broth conditioning regimes such as effects of ultrasound on flocculation; and to applications to standard separation equipment such as electrofiltration. The importance of a surface chemistry approach to the development of this technology is stressed.