Coiled fiber membrane chromatography

A new type of particle-loaded membrane adsorber module was prepared by coiling adsorptive fibers. In order to characterize the material and predict the module performance, the protein accessibility and mass flux of single fibers were tested in incubation experiments. The coil's layout spacing and winding tension are useful parameters for tailoring the module for stabilization, polishing, or pharmaceutical applications. Decreasing the distance between two adjacent fibers during the coiling process affects the flow resistance and the dynamic adsorption capacity of the module. Higher flow resistance creates a higher convective flow through the fibers resulting in faster adsorption processes. Exerting a high winding tension causes fiber deformation, resulting in modules with high packing density. The feed flow is then forced through the fibers to a greater extent, thereby reducing the diffusive distance to the active sites located in the interior of the fiber, which results in steeper breakthrough curves and better ligand utilization.