Utilization of Microfluidics in Separation of Biomass from Aqueous Suspensions

Presenter

Carter J. Paul

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Sarah L. Perry, Department of Chemical Engineering, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A94, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 5 (A81-A100) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Inorganic and organic material separation from aqueous solutions is a commonly utilized method in biochemical processes. Standard unit operations include filtration and centrifugation, but other methods can be used to facilitate liquid-solid separation. Application of these separation processes at industrial scale benefit sustainability efforts in the fields of wastewater treatment and biofuel production. Other applications include food production via microbiological fermentation and bioreactor cultures. In most cases, cells within an aqueous solution are a target product, while other processes may include cells that are contaminants creating the need for a waste stream. In this experiment, microfluidic devices are used to model how flocculation aids the separation of yeast cells from an aqueous suspension. Efficient and continuous separation at this scale is achieved through combined effects of inertial and elastic lift forces within microfluidic channels. Yeast cells are separated due to their larger size within the system. Laboratory model samples of yeast cell suspensions are prepared with and without flocculation. Soft lithography is used to design microfluidic channels within device prototypes. These prototypes assess the performance of the separation with and without a flocculant. Device performance is also determined through cell density and floc size before and after the experiment. Results from this study may provide an efficient process to separate yeast from aqueous solutions at the micro-level, which has direct applications to studies of human medicine, understanding of genetics, and expanding of fermentation methods.

Keywords

Microfluidics , Engineering , Yeast Cells

Research Area

Engineering

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