Abstract
The hydrodynamic, engineering, and chromatographic variables affecting scale-up of countercurrent chromatography (CCC) are examined. The predictable and linear scale-up from the current laboratory scale technology to industrial process scale, capable of kgm/month in the first phase, is demonstrated. Continued research will prepare the way for a new generation of tonne/annum capacity high throughput, high resolution CCC machines for pilot and plant scale separations of a range of bioprocess products.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work has been undertaken as part of a BBSRC/DTI LINK Consortium study on the “Industrial Scale up of Countercurrent Chromatography.” The Brunel team was responsible for the design, development, and research on the CCC devices, which were manufactured by Romulus Technology (Space) Ltd. The Chemistry Department in Swansea and AECS were responsible for method development. The other members of the consortium (AstraZeneca, Glaxo-Wellcome, Shell, UCL, and Zeneca Agrochemicals) were involved in applications of the technology and advising on the requirements for its industrial application. The authors would like to thank John Dennis for his support throughout the project as coordinator of the BBSRC/DTI Biochemical Engineering LINK programme.