Cross-flow filtration of yeast by microporous ceramic membrane with backwashing

The following results were obtained in the separation of yeast from yeast suspension or fermentation borth by crossflow filtration with or without backwashing, using a microporous ceramic membrane: 1) backwashing by the filtrate, which was supplied to the membrane by compressed air or by a suction pump, gave higher filtration flux, 2) there existed an appropriate filtrate volume for backwashing when the backwashing interval was fixed, 3) the initial filtration process with or without backwashing is described by the standard blocking filtration model, 4) the filtration flux at an arbitrary backwashing interval was roughly estimated using the values of the initial filtration rate and the filtration constant of the standard blocking filtration model, and memrbane whose filtration flux had been lowered were able to be regenerated by heating.