title: Scale-down characterization of post-centrifuge flocculation processes for high-throughput process development.
abstract: The authors present a novel ultra scale-down (USD) methodology for the characterization of flocculation processes. This USD method, consisting of a multiwell, magnetically agitated system that can be fitted on the deck of a liquid handling robot, mimicked the flocculation performance of a nongeometrically similar pilot-scale vessel representing greater than three orders of magnitude scale-up. Mixing scales (i.e. macromixing, mesomixing or micromixing) modulated the flocs' size and determined the success of some of the scale-up correlations reviewed in the literature.
authors.affiliation: The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK; Lonza Biologics plc, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4DX, UK.
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Espuny Garcia Del Real
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bracewell
mesh_terms: D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002498:Centrifugation; D005427:Flocculation; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size
keywords: flocculation; high-throughput; micromixing; primary separation; scale-up; ultra scale-down