Filtration with multiple species of particles

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new model for multi-species particle filtration, optimizing filter design for better separation and proposing a multi-stage strategy that improves yield and purity of desired particles.

Contribution

It presents a novel model for multi-species filtration and a multi-stage strategy that enhances separation efficiency and product purity.

Findings

Optimal filter design depends on feed composition.

Multi-stage filtration significantly improves yield.

Higher purity achieved with the proposed strategy.

Abstract

Filtration of feed containing multiple species of particles is a common process in the industrial setting. In this work we propose a model for filtration of a suspension containing an arbitrary number of particle species, each with different affinities for the filter membrane. We formulate a number of optimization problems pertaining to effective separation of desired and undesired particles in the special case of two particle species and we present results showing how properties such as feed composition affect the optimal filter design (internal pore structure). In addition, we propose a novel multi-stage filtration strategy, which provides a significant mass yield improvement for the desired particles, and, surprisingly, higher purity of the product as well.