Working principle of tangential flow filtration

What is tangential flow filtration?

TFF is a tangential flow filtration, which is a pressure driven membrane separation process based on molecular size. TFF can be applied to a range of applications, including protein chemistry, molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry and microbiology. This paper will focus on the principle, main parameters and application of tangential flow filtration technology.

TFF is a tangential flow filtration, which is a pressure driven membrane separation process based on molecular size. With TFF, the sample mixture is not forced through a single channel through the membrane like a DC filter, but recirculates the fluid through the membrane along a tangent through the membrane surface. This "cleaning" behavior caused by applied pressure reduces the accumulation of initial samples on the membrane surface. Target molecules larger than the cut-off molecular weight of the membrane are retained, but small molecules and buffer pass through the membrane. Tangential flow filtration is an effective method for concentrating and desalting 10 ml to thousands of liters of sample solution. It can be used to separate large biomolecules from small biomolecules, capture cell suspension, and clarify fermentation broth and cell lysate. TFF can be applied to a range of applications, including protein chemistry, molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry and microbiology.