A protein is present in 8 m³ of fermentation liquor at a concentration of 0.6 g l^-1. Ultrafiltration under gel polarisation conditions is used to concentrate the protein by a factor of five. The gelation concentration is estimated as 25 g l^-1. The filtration is carried out using a spiralwound module with a mass transfer coefficient of 3.4 X 10^-6 m s^-1. The protein is rejected completely by the membrane and the effects of fouling are assumed to be negligible.  

(a) What membrane area is required for batch ultrafiltration if the process must be completed within 1 hour? 

 

(b) What membrane area is required if the filtration is carried out as a continuous operation over 1 hour with a feed flow rate of 8 m³ h^-1?