Combination of crossflow and electric field for microfiltration of protein/microbial cell suspensions

This work carries out experiments with BSA (Bovine serum albumin)/yeast mixtures by a flat-channel filter imposed with an electric field to investigate effects of electric field strength and electric field modes on filtration rate and protein transmission. The pseudo- steady-state filtration rate measurements were compared with a theoretical model predicted values. Experimental results indicate instantaneous and significant filtration rate changes associated with electric field addition or interruption across the filter chamber. This means that electroosmosis induced in the selected filter medium plays a major role in filtration rate enhancement. Protein transmission through the microfiltration membrane also shows significant enhancement by electric field application to induce electrophoretic migration of the protein toward the membrane.