Influencing factors on the filtration process of Cephalosporin C separated from fermentation broths by ceramic membrane

In order to study the application performance of the ceramic membrane used for the filtration process separating Cephalosporin C (CPC) from fermentation broths, the effects of operating pressure, diafiltration and cross-flow velocity on membrane flux were investigated, and their affecting mechanisms were discussed. Based on the relationship between temperature and CPC yield, the effect of temperature on membrane flux was studied, and the optimal operation temperature of 15°C was confirmed. According to the theory of concentration polarization, a linear relationship between the flux and lna was proposed, and this proposed relationship was confirmed by the experimental results. This suggests that the concentration of suspended solid in the retentate is a key factor of the filtration process and has a great influence on the permeate flux. In addition, the results of investigation indicate that more than 90% of the membrane permeability could be recovered if the polluted membrane is cleaned by a composite cleaning procedure of 'hydraulic cleaning/alkaline cleaning/hydraulic cleaning/acid cleaning/hydraulic cleaning'.