LAUSR

Abstract Inclined plate settlers are proven and established as a technology for cell retention in biotechnological production processes. However, their conventional bottom section is not suitable for efficient solid-liquid separation and washing of the solid fraction. We present a structured-design bottom section that is – in combination with the conventional settling section of a conventional inclined plate settler - capable of continuous solid-liquid separation tasks. The construction of the structured flow distributor network, by which the streams are physically separated from each other, is enabled by additive manufacturing. Due to the structured nature of the bottom section, scale-up is linear. The system continuously yields a solid-depleted fluid phase and semi- continuously a highly concentrated particle suspension. By incorporating a wash stream, the settled solids can be efficiently separated from the original fluid phase with an efficiency of >95%. Therefore, the introduction of the structured-design bottom section results in more efficient continuous solid-liquid separation. Combined with the advantages of inclined settlers, which include low fouling and the absence of product retention, this concept makes inclined settlers the perfect fit for continuous, long term cell removal or retention as well as other solid-liquid separation tasks.