Continuous Non-Centrifugal Phase Separation in Biphasic Whole-Cell Biocatalysis

Within several chemical and biotechnological processes, the presence of particles (e.g. as catalyst) in a biphasic reaction
system (oil/water) often leads to the formation of stable Pickering type emulsions, hindering cost-efficient and effective
downstream processing. State-of-the-art-concepts for phase separation fail or include inefficient and costly strategies
(centrifugation / de-emulsifiers). Using the phenomenon of catastrophic phase inversion (CPI), efficient phase separation
can be achieved by addition of dispersed phase. Based on a patent filed at TU Dortmund, a process concept (termed:
Applied Catastrophic Phase Inversion; ACPI) was developed, enabling continuous phase separation of stable emulsion by
using the CPI phenomenon. A fully automated pilot-scale prototype was planned and constructed and applicability of the
concept to different biocatalysts and aqueous/organic systems confirmed.

Back