Mechanisms for the acoustic conditioning of protein precipitates to improve their separation by centrifugation.
A theoretical description of a low-frequency, dual-source acoustic treatment of protein precipitates is presented. Two mechanisms for the potential improvement of the centrifugal separation of precipitates are proposed. They are acoustic aggregation, which causes an increase in particle size, and aggregate deformation, which results in an increase in aggregate density. Experiments with isoelectric soya protein precipitate indicated that the extent of ageing prior to acoustic conditioning is important. Support for both aggregation and dewatering was found and a maximum increases in the particle settling velocity of 20% was observed.
Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, England.
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Bell
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Dunnill