Field-Flow fractionation (FFF)
| Technology | |
| |
| Technology details | |
| Name: | Field-Flow fractionation |
| Category: | |
| Feedstock: | Biowaste |
| Product: | Biomass in different physicochemical fractions |
Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF) is a separation technology without a stationary phase for dilute suspensions. The suspensions can be fractionated according to their physicochemical properties such as charge, chemical composition, density, molar mass, and size. Beside analytical purposes the FFF can also be utilised for preparative purposes.
Feedstock
Suitable feedstocks are heterogeneous mixtures of different substances in form of dilute suspensions (solids in liquid). Depending on the applied process and technology solids can be usually separated between the nm-µm range. The FFF is usually applied to separate cells, different kind of nanoparticles, polymers, and proteins for analytical and preparative purposes.
Process and technologies
Different variants of the FFF are available including tha Asymmetric flow FFF, centrifugal FFF, electrical FFF, split flow thin-cell fractionation (SPLITT), and thermal FFF. Depending on the applied technology particles can be separated in dependence of different physicochemical properties.
Asymmetric flow FFF (AF4)
The asymmetric flow FFF (AF4) is realised in a separation channel where an separation force ist generated in form of an asymmetric crossflow through a semipermeable membrane and frit. Through the cross-flow larger particles accumulate at the channel bottom while smaller particles accumulate more at the upper part induced by diffusion. The injected particles can be eluted through a parabolic flow-profile in combination with the reduction of the crossflow.
Centrifugal FFF
In centrifugal FFF the separation force is realised via an centrifugal field. Through the induced gravitational field larger particles accumulate at the channel bottom while smaller particles accumulate more at the upper part. The injected particles can be eluted through a parabolic flow-profile in combination with the reduction of the centrifugal field. Due to the large range of applicable centrifugal force the method has its advantage to separate a wide range of different sized particles (usually µm-nm range).
Electrical FFF
This technology combines the FFF with an electrical field as additional separation force. Besides the separation based on particle size this method adds the capability to separate particles/molecules in dependence of their charge.
Split flow thin-cell fractionation (SPLITT)
In Split flow thin-cell fractionation (SPLITT) earth's gravitational force is used to separate different sized particles (usually in µm-range). Usually the suspensions are introduced into the top of a separation channel while a carrier liquid is pumped into the channel from the bottom. The separation of different sized solids occurs along the channel induced by earth's gravity. Two outlets (one at the channel bottom, one at the channel top) at the end of the channel separates the particles into a larger and smaller fraction while the cut-off can be controllel via the channel flows.
Thermal FFF
Possibly not relevant
Product
Technology providers
| Company name | Country | City | Technology category | Technology name | TRL | Capacity [kg/h] | Feedstock: Food & kitchen waste | Feedstock: Garden & park waste | Feedstock: Municipal waste | Product: Dry biomass | Max volume [L] | Max mass [kg] | Temperature [kg] | Pressure [Bar] | Gas atmosphere | Evaporable substances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company 1 | Germany | Cologne | Freeze drying | Powerdry 5000 | 9 | 0.00138 | ● | ● | ● | ● | 100 | 1 | -20 | 0.0004 | Vacuum | Alcohol, Water |
| Company 2 | France | Paris | Nitrogen drying | Nitrodry | 9 | 0.003 | ● | ● | ● | ● | 0.5 | 0.5 | 20 | 1 | Nitrogen | Alcohol, Water |
Company 1
Description of company 1
Company 2
Description of company 2