Membrane Separation for Protein Concentration

Membrane technology has been widely utilized in the water industry while niche applications such as protein separations are relatively lesser known. For protein clarification and concentration processes, decanter centrifuges and hydro-cyclones are usually deployed but may not achieve the required separation quality. Membrane separation methods have proven to bring better separation quality given an edge to potential adopters. This technology relates to a hollow fiber Microfiltration (MF) & Ultrafiltration (UF) membrane developed by the technology owner that can replace decanter centrifuge as a concentration method.

The technology owner is seeking co-development partners to explore membrane applications in protein clarification and concentration. Building on a strong foundation in membrane substantial know-how in membrane process separation industries, the technology owner would like to partner with the alternative protein and food industry to test bed the hollow fiber membrane technology.

A decanter centrifuge or hydro-cyclone provides a certain degree of separation of the protein and water in the solution. Membrane separation works off a different separation technique and would provide a high separation quality compared to the commercially available technology that is being applied in the industry.

The hollow fiber membrane developed by the technology owner has the following specifications:

• Microfiltration (MF) & Ultrafiltration (UF) range
• Lower operational pressure vs. conventional MF & UF
• Up to 95% water removal for protein solution
• Up to 90 % impurity removal
• Highly concentrated final solution suitable for F&B
• Adhere to sanitary standards

• Protein clarification and concentration
• Removal of impurities (eg. Lipids from a mixture of protein and lipids)
• High protein concentration to accommodate downstream extrusion process
• Decolorization and color pigments removal in protein solution to attain market acceptance
• Isolate cells from grown medium upon growth completion in the cell-based meat industry

• Create high purity and more concentrated product that would open a new market area for the original product.
• Pre-concentration to reduce load on evaporators (reduction on CAPEX and OPEX)
• Lower operating pressure than hydro-cyclone & decanter