Nanofiltration of multi-ionic solutions: prediction of ions transport using the SEDE model

This work focuses on the application of nanofiltration (NF) to the concentration of a pharmaceutical product, Clavulanate (CA−), from clarified fermentation broths, which show a complex composition with six main identified ions (K+, Cl−, NH4 +, H2PO4 −, SO4 2− and CA−), glucose and glycerol. The solutes transport through the NF membrane pores was investigated using the SEDE (Steric, Electric and Dielectric Exclusion) model. This model was applied to predict the rejection rates of the initial feed solution and the final concentrated solution (10-fold concentrated solution). The best results were achieved with a single fitted parameter,