A predictive aggregate transport model for microfiltration of combined macromolecular solutions and poly-disperse suspensions: testing model with transgenic goat milk.

To meet the technical challenge of recovering human IgG fusion protein from transgenic whole goat milk at reasonable cost with high purity and yield, a predictive aggregate transport model for microfiltration has been developed (Baruah and Belfort, 2003). Here, to test the model's predictability of permeate flux and mass transport, a comprehensive series of experiments with varying wall shear rate, feed temperature, feed concentration, and module design are presented. A very good fit was obtained between the model predictions and measurements for a wide variety of experimental conditions. For microfiltration module design comparison, a linear hollow fiber module (representing current commercial technologies) gave lower permeation flux and higher yield than a helical hollow fiber module (representing the latest self-cleaning methodology). These results are easily explained with the model that is now being used to define operating conditions for maximizing performance. The procedure described by the model is generalizable and can be used to obtain optimal filtration performance for applications other than milk.