Concentrator filter
A method and an apparatus for separating suspended matter from liquid includes a concentrator filter that draws the liquid out of the suspension while the filter kept unblocked by a sparging filter that allows scrubbing of the concentrator filter by gas bubbles. This invention can be used to replace cross-flow filtration and centrifugation in the bioprocess industry and to reduce the volume of suspensions to concentrate the yield of the end product in the chemical industry.
1. A filtration device to remove a liquid from a suspension comprising: (a) at least one concentrator filter with at least one surface and inner volume and connected to a source of vacuum through an extraction tube; (b) at least three sparging filters with at least one surface and inner volume connected to a source of compressed gas; (c) fixing the filters in a configuration to allow maximal contact of surface between filters and completely surround the concentrator filter.
2. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the suspension consists of a biological entity dispersed in a nutritional media.
3. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the filters are hollow tube, cylinder, ovoid, disc, or a cuboid.
4. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the filters are made of polymer, metal or ceramic material.
5. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein the filters are made of aluminum oxide.
6. The filtration device according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of concentrator filters is assembled around a sparging filter.