Processing of shrimp shells for the production of chitin makes commercial use of shell waste with economic benefits. Although chitin possesses the valuable properties of a biopolymer, with many useful applications, significant environmental pollution during its production hampers growth opportunities for industrial processing. In this study, a filtration process at different molecular weight cut-offs is assessed for protein recovery from the discharged alkaline processing stream of an industrial chitin manufacturing unit. Three tubular ceramic membranes (0.1 μm, 450 D and <300 D) have been investigated under a constant temperature of 70 °C, at chosen trans-membrane pressures of 1.3–5 bar, high cross flow velocities of 3.3–3.5 m/s, and at a volumetric concentration factor of 5. Results of concentration runs indicate a significant increase of recovered proteins, between 7 and 16%, can be achieved in the concentrate stream by reducing the chosen membrane cut-offs. A second product the permeate stream – solid-free hydroxide sodium solution – can be re-utilized in the chitin production line. Retention of the organic load led to a 56% decrease of chemical oxygen demand and total bound nitrogen in the permeate stream.
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Research Article|
June 01 2016
Protein recovery by selective separation using ceramic membranes
L. Q. T. Nguyen;
L. Q. T. Nguyen
*
aTechnische Universität Darmstadt, Institute IWAR, Wastewater Technology, Franziska-Braun-Str. 7, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
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M. Engelhart;
M. Engelhart
bEnviroChemie GmbH, In den Leppsteinswiesen 9, Rossdorf 64380, Germany
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M. Wagner;
M. Wagner
aTechnische Universität Darmstadt, Institute IWAR, Wastewater Technology, Franziska-Braun-Str. 7, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
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P. Cornel
P. Cornel
aTechnische Universität Darmstadt, Institute IWAR, Wastewater Technology, Franziska-Braun-Str. 7, Darmstadt 64287, Germany
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Water Practice and Technology (2016) 11 (2): 384–395.
Citation
L. Q. T. Nguyen, M. Engelhart, M. Wagner, P. Cornel; Protein recovery by selective separation using ceramic membranes. Water Practice and Technology 1 June 2016; 11 (2): 384–395. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2016.047
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