Foam Fractionation

Book excerpt: Foam fractionation is a separation process in which proteins and other amphipathic species adsorb to the surface of bubbles. The bubbles are then removed from the solution in the form of foam at the top of a column. Due to its cost-effectiveness, foam fractionation has the potential for rapid commercial growth, especially in biotechnology. To assist in the widespread adoption of this highly affordable yet powerful process, Foam Fractionation: Principles and Process Design: Provides a systematic explanation of the underlying physics of foam fractionation Discusses the fundamentals of molecular adsorption to gas liquid interfaces and the dynamics of foam Describes foam fractionation process intensification strategies Supplies design guidance for plant-scale installations Contains the latest knowledge of foam fractionation transport processes Presents a case study of the world’s largest commercial foam fractionation plant producing the food preservative Nisin Foam Fractionation: Principles and Process Design capitalizes on the authors’ extensive practical experience of foam fractionation and allied processes to give process engineers, industrial designers, chemical engineers, academics, and graduate students alike a greater understanding of the mechanistic basis and real-world applications of foam fractionation.