Polishing Filter
Jonas Gerson and Ian Swyer
Background
• Definition:
Polishing filters…
“…are used to separate liquids only having very
small quantities of solid impurities…”
 In this case to filter out the impurities from
the output stream from a centrifuge
Process Situation
Flowrate (kg/batch)
In Flow
Biomass
Out Flow
Biomass
Mass Comp %
Conc. g/L
2.9903
0.0213
0.209987
2.9903
50
494.02
How it Works
In-Line
T-Line
• Need:
Design Selection
– Maximum flowrate of 27.7 L/min
– Pore size of 0.2 µm
• Available Options
– Companies: Pall, Millipore, MKS
• Need both disposable filters and housing
• It was found that 1 In-Line / T-Line filter housings using 10
inch disposable cartridge filters provide the best utility for
the money
– The membrane areas were compared to the maximum flowrate
needed, and compared against equivalent flux.
– Optimized for pressure drop and cartridge costs
Pressure Drop and Flowrates for Millipore SHF Filters
Suppliers and Prices
Final Design
$1,196 per unit,
$859 per 3
Capital Cost for Unit: $ 1482
Operating per Batch: $ 286
Per Year: $ 7400