Analysis of bioproduct separation using gel-enclosed adsorbents

Abstract

The concept of “gel-enclosed” adsorbents was recently introduced for whole fermentation broth processing. The term “gel-enclosed adsorbents” in this paper refers to small adsorbent particles such as the ones used in affinity or ion-exchange chromatography enclosed within a protective, spherical, semipermeable gel barrier. The barrier can be in the form of an entrapment matrix where a porous gel matrix in itself contains entrapped adsorbent particles, or in the form of an encapsulating membrane where an aqueous spherical core containing the adsorbent particles is enclosed by a gel membrane. Both experimental and theoretical analyses were carried out to elicit a more fundamental view of the diffusion and adsorption phenomena occurring within these forms of adsorbents. Furthermore, the effective porosity of the gel matrix and the effective diffusivities of the species being separated, as well as their adsorption behavior combined result in what is here termed “kinetic selectivity”.