Flow investigation in an innovating dynamic filtration module using tracing methods

International audienceResidence Time Distribution (RTD) experiments were carried out under laminar and turbulent 43regimesin a complex dynamic filtration module, named Rotating and Vibrating Filtration (RVF). 44This filtration module,dedicated to bioprocess intensification and downstream processing,45consists of two filtration cells in series in which a three-blade impeller rotates between twoflat46membranes.47Ourobjectivesareto improve filtration and overall industrial bioprocess performancesby (i) 48deeply understandingthe flow behaviourwithin RVF modulesand (ii) characterizing and 49modellingthe RTD througha systemic analysisand (iii) identifying critical operating conditions 50with microbial cells.51Analytical study of distribution functions was conductedand statistical moments were calculated 52and discussed. This study providesuseful recommendations, guidelines byidentifyingefficient 53volume (functioning area), dead zone volume (dysfunctioningarea). The influence of operating 54parameters (mixing rateNand flow rate Qf) on the mean residence time,tswerehighlighted. The 55systemic analysis led to compare threemodelswith analytical solutions. Finally, a simple model 56allowing the description of the evolution of the RTD of the studied filtration module was 57 proposed