The influence of biomass on the hydrodynamic behavior and stability of expanded beds

Expanded bed adsorption is an innovative chromatographic technology that allows the introduction of particle‐containing feedstock without the risk of blocking the bed. Provided a perfectly classified fluidized bed (termed expanded bed) is formed in the crude feedstock and the biomass is not influencing protein transport towards the adsorbent surface, a sorption performance comparable to packed beds is found. The influence of biomass on the hydrodynamic stability of expanded beds is essential and was investigated systematically in this article. Residence‐time distribution analyses were performed using model systems and a yeast suspension under various fluid‐phase conditions. It is demonstrated that three factors (biomass/adsorbent interactions, biomass concentration, and flow rate) play an interdependent role disturbing the classified fluidization of an expanded bed. A clear correlation between the degree of aggregative fluidization—obtained by PDE modeling of RTD data—and the expansion behavior of the fluidized bed has been found. Thus, combining three analytical methods, namely cell transmission index analysis, expansion analysis, and RTD analysis provides a solid base for understanding and control of the fluidization behavior and thus further process design during the initial phase of process development. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.