Enhanced Separation of Polyethylene Glycol from Bovine Serum Albumin Using Electro-Ultrafiltration

Abstract

Electric field-enhanced separation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) from an aqueous electrolyte solution of bovine serum albumin has been carried out. Experimental results show a significant improvement in both permeate flux and PEG transmission with the application of a suitable d.c. electric field. A mass transfer model based on film theory is proposed for prediction of permeate flux and observed retention of PEG. The model uses single parameter, namely real retention (R r2 ) of the PEG which is evaluated by optimizing the experimental values of steady state permeate flux and permeate concentration. Model predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data.