clarification of fermentation broths by cross-flow microfiltration. Microfiltration experiments conducted under
constant transmembrane pressure and under constant permeate fluxes (higher and lower than the critical flux)
were represented by the resistance in series model in which the membrane resistance, the adsorption resistance,
the bacteria cake resistance and the soluble compounds concentration polarisation resistance were taken into
account. The different operating modes were compared in terms of two industrial interest criteria: the
productivity and fouling rates. Higher productivities were obtained during constant transmembrane pressure
runs whereas the lowest fouling rate was observed during the run conducted with a constant permeate flux lower
than the critical flux. However, this fouling was mainly due to adsorption and solute components concentration
polarisation.
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