Separations Simulators

How to Use

1. Select filtration type: gravity, vacuum, or pressure filter matching your separation duty (e.g., removal of API solids from fermentation broth)
2. Enter feed properties: viscosity in cP, particle size distribution (d50 in microns), solids concentration as wt%, and cake density in kg/m³
3. Input filter medium specifications: area in m², permeability coefficient, and cake resistance alpha (m/kg). Run simulation to obtain cycle time, throughput in kg/h, and pressure drop across medium

Worked Example

Pharmaceutical intermediate recovery via vacuum filtration: feed viscosity 2.1 cP at 25°C, solids 18 wt% (d50 = 12 micron), filter area 0.5 m², medium resistance 0.002 bar·m²/kg cake, cake density 850 kg/m³. Applied vacuum 0.7 bar yields filtration flux 45 kg/(m²·h), total cycle time 3.2 h including wash and discharge, net throughput 22.5 kg/h with final cake moisture 38% w/w.

Practical Notes

1. Validate cake compressibility factor (s) for cohesive particles; incompressible cakes (s ≈ 0) in mineral processing differ from pharmaceutical sludge (s = 0.4–0.8)
2. Account for blinding: monitor differential pressure rise; reset if ΔP exceeds 2.5 bar on small-scale lab filters to prevent membrane rupture
3. Temperature effects on filtrate viscosity are critical—a 10°C rise can reduce cycle time by 15% in oils and polymeric solutions