pharmaceutical (pharma), biotechnology (biotech), desalination, and separation and
purification of industrial effluents [1–3].
The reason behind the importance and integration of membranes in the field of
bioprocess engineering lies in the fact that membranes are capable to carry out
significant amount of work in different processes and applications under different
capacities in fermenters and bioreactors, such as gas transport, transfer of selective
nutrients, separation and purification of value-added products, as sensors to analyze
the concentration of analyte, downstream processing of proteins and other products,
and for sterilization of heat labile compounds. Downstream applications of membranes include sterile filtrations of buffer, gases, and end products. Membrane
chromatography can be used for purification of raw materials and products. Further,
upstream applications include sterile filtrations of fermenter media, pH controllable
solutions, and gases, such as air and oxygen. Membrane filters with 0.1 μm pore size
can provide retention of mycoplasma and larger organisms, and tangential flow
microfiltration is used for medium exchange [4]. The different membrane separation
processes, such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration,
pervaporation, and electrodialysis are playing important role in various capacities
in different industrial and commercial applications [5]. Enantiomeric separations,
artificial organs, hemodialysis, milk and fruit juice clarification, protein purification,
beverage production, and drug delivery are few of the important applications where
membrane separation processes are employed for effective and efficient
operations [6].
This chapter discusses in detail about the role of membrane science in the field of
bioprocess engineering by explaining various applications. Further, basics of membranes are discussed in the initial sections of the chapter, and emphasis is given on
the types of membranes based on the driving force. Later, the membrane processes in
different bioprocess industries by giving selective examples of various applications
are explained for better understanding. Lastly, the future of membrane separation
processes in the field of bioprocess engineering is explained with relative topics and
examples.
2 Membrane Types and Their Importance in Bioprocesses
The membranes are classified mainly based upon their nature, structure, and separation principle or mechanism. Structurally, membranes are either symmetric or
asymmetric [1]. Furthermore, symmetric membranes can be porous, dense, and
charged. The porous membranes, as the name suggests, consist of voids and pores.
The porous membranes follow size exclusion principle for separation of the feed
components. Microfiltration and ultrafiltration are two common examples of membrane separation processes where porous membranes are used. Dense membranes, as
the name suggests, are nonporous membranes. The separation of feed components
takes place by diffusion mechanism in nonporous membranes. The driving force for
the diffusion of the feed components may be pressure, concentration, temperature,
Membrane Technology in Bioprocess Engineering
3
purification of industrial effluents [1–3].
The reason behind the importance and integration of membranes in the field of
bioprocess engineering lies in the fact that membranes are capable to carry out
significant amount of work in different processes and applications under different
capacities in fermenters and bioreactors, such as gas transport, transfer of selective
nutrients, separation and purification of value-added products, as sensors to analyze
the concentration of analyte, downstream processing of proteins and other products,
and for sterilization of heat labile compounds. Downstream applications of membranes include sterile filtrations of buffer, gases, and end products. Membrane
chromatography can be used for purification of raw materials and products. Further,
upstream applications include sterile filtrations of fermenter media, pH controllable
solutions, and gases, such as air and oxygen. Membrane filters with 0.1 μm pore size
can provide retention of mycoplasma and larger organisms, and tangential flow
microfiltration is used for medium exchange [4]. The different membrane separation
processes, such as microfiltration, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration,
pervaporation, and electrodialysis are playing important role in various capacities
in different industrial and commercial applications [5]. Enantiomeric separations,
artificial organs, hemodialysis, milk and fruit juice clarification, protein purification,
beverage production, and drug delivery are few of the important applications where
membrane separation processes are employed for effective and efficient
operations [6].
This chapter discusses in detail about the role of membrane science in the field of
bioprocess engineering by explaining various applications. Further, basics of membranes are discussed in the initial sections of the chapter, and emphasis is given on
the types of membranes based on the driving force. Later, the membrane processes in
different bioprocess industries by giving selective examples of various applications
are explained for better understanding. Lastly, the future of membrane separation
processes in the field of bioprocess engineering is explained with relative topics and
examples.
2 Membrane Types and Their Importance in Bioprocesses
The membranes are classified mainly based upon their nature, structure, and separation principle or mechanism. Structurally, membranes are either symmetric or
asymmetric [1]. Furthermore, symmetric membranes can be porous, dense, and
charged. The porous membranes, as the name suggests, consist of voids and pores.
The porous membranes follow size exclusion principle for separation of the feed
components. Microfiltration and ultrafiltration are two common examples of membrane separation processes where porous membranes are used. Dense membranes, as
the name suggests, are nonporous membranes. The separation of feed components
takes place by diffusion mechanism in nonporous membranes. The driving force for
the diffusion of the feed components may be pressure, concentration, temperature,
Membrane Technology in Bioprocess Engineering
3