28 Apr 2010 16:00
Unit:
Wageningen University
Location:
Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation:
Wageningen University
Promotor:
prof.dr. R.M. Boom (Food Process Engineering)
Co Promotor:
Dr.ir. R.G.M. van der Sman, Dr.ir. C.G.P.H. Schroën
Membrane processes are well-known for separating and fractionating suspensions in many industries, but suffer from particle accumulation on the membrane surface. Nowadays microfluidic devices are become popular for cell/DNA sorting and fractionation. One class of these devices, namely deterministic ratchet also known as deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) array, seems most promising for continuous fractionation application of suspensions, as is customary in e.g. the food industry. Based on the particle size compared to obstacle presenting in the DLD ratchet, particles are showing different kinds of motion, leading to their fractionation. Through numerical and experimental investigation, various design rules were derived, and based on that, an efficient fractionation device could be constructed that is tuned to the size of the components that need to be fractionated with the high yield.