Clarification of yeast cell suspensions by a highly porous polyamide nanofiber sponge

Depth filtration is an attractive method for initial clarification of broth removing cells and cell debris. Electrospun nanofibers with their large specific surface area a porous structure are known as materials in processes. However, dead-end through nanofiber mats (NFM) always leads to cake formation increasing resistance. In this study, the first time, sponge (NFS) or aerogel was synthetized from polyamide 6 (PA6) building blocks. The NFS flexible, highly mechanically stable. pore size tuned between 8 26 µm during cryogenic processing step. Volumetric flux efficiency depended on results were compared those NFM same PA6 material. Dead-end Saccharomyces cerevisiae feasible at low differential pressure 3.5 kPa > 99 %. Modelling process revealed that prevented by filters since able penetrate into filter adsorb internal surface. characteristics also commercial depth high along possibility avoid aids environmental impact. PA6-NFS may become new cost effective generation different debris other applications.