
Pellicon®Capsule and Pellicon®Capsule Stand User Guide 13
Product Processing
Always avoid stress such as impact and pulling at connection points
during use. Capsule manifolds must not be lifted or carried by the
tubing assemblies.
Concentration
The following instructions are meant to serve as a guide. Procedures
and conditions should be confirmed by the end user while using a
feed stream and optimized conditions representative of their specific
application.
The following instructions apply to batch processes where a
recirculation loop is used. For single-pass operation, adjust the
installation assembly as required.
1. Install the Pellicon® capsule and condition the system by
flushing with processing buffer. Leave capsule and tubing full
of conditioning buffer. Leave enough buffer in feed tank to
submerge the retentate return line.
2. Add the product to the feed tank.
3. Fully open the retentate and permeate valves.
4. Direct the retentate and permeate lines to the feed tank.
5. Turn the feed pump on and slowly adjust the pump speed.
Partially close the retentate valve to achieve the target feed flow
rate and optimum transmembrane pressure (TMP). The optimum
feed flow rate and TMP will depend on the solution being filtered
and are determined experimentally. Typical operating conditions
are in the table below.
Typical Operating Conditions for a Batch Process
Membrane Feed Flow Rate Retentate Pressure
Ultracel® 30 kD 4 to 8
L/min/m2
0.7 to 1.4 bar
10 to 20 psi
6. Direct the permeate to a waste container or to drain to
concentrate product.
7. Record the feed and permeate flow rate; feed, retentate,
and permeate pressures; and temperature throughout the
concentration process.
8. After reaching the target concentration, fully open the retentate
valve and fully close the permeate valve.
Diafiltration
1. Configure the system for diafiltration with the buffer feed
and retentate lines to the tank, the permeate line to drain or
collection vessel and the retenate and permeate lines fully open.
2. Adjust TMP to achieve optimal permeate flux. For constant
volume diafiltration, adjust the buffer flow rate to be equivalent
to the permeate flow rate.
3. Diafilter the product with the required number of diavolumes
based on the process specifications.
Diavolume (DV or N) = Total buffer volume to permeate divided
by the retentate volume to diafilter.
4. After reaching the target diafiltration volume, fully open the
retentate valve and fully close the permeate valve.
Recovery
There are various methods for product recovery. The following
instructions give one example. Contact Technical Service for assistance
with other recovery methods.
1. Recirculate at 1 L/min/m2(feed flux) for 10 minutes with the
retentate valve open and permeate valve closed.
2. Recover product from the feed tank by draining or by pumping
out through the retentate line to the recovery vessel.
3. Add at least one hold-up volume of buffer to feed tank then
pump out system to recover additional product.
4. Disconnect the Pellicon® capsule and tubing from the system and
discard according to local regulations.