Foam Fractionation: Principles and Process Design

Foam fractionation is a separation process in which proteins and other amphipathic species adsorb to the surface of bubbles. The bubbles are then removed from the solution in the form of foam at the top of a column. Due to its cost-effectiveness, foam fractionation has the potential for rapid commercial growth, especially in biotechnology.

To assist in the widespread adoption of this highly affordable yet powerful process, Foam Fractionation: Principles and Process Design:

• Provides a systematic explanation of the underlying physics of foam fractionation
• Discusses the fundamentals of molecular adsorption to gas liquid interfaces and the dynamics of foam
• Describes foam fractionation process intensification strategies
• Supplies design guidance for plant-scale installations
• Contains the latest knowledge of foam fractionation transport processes
• Presents a case study of the world’s largest commercial foam fractionation plant producing the food preservative Nisin

Foam Fractionation: Principles and Process Design capitalizes on the authors’ extensive practical experience of foam fractionation and allied processes to give process engineers, industrial designers, chemical engineers, academics, and graduate students alike a greater understanding of the mechanistic basis and real-world applications of foam fractionation.

Paul Stevenson undertook four chemical engineering degrees and his post-doctoral training at the University of Cambridge, UK. Currently he is faculty at the University of Hull, a guest professor at the China University of Petroleum, adjunct associate professor in the Reservoir Engineering Group of the University of Western Australia, and chief technical officer at Lower Belford Resources. He previously held academic positions at the Universities of Auckland, New Zealand, and Newcastle, Australia. His research work lies at the nexus of multiphase flow and surface science and involves investigations into enhanced oil recovery, gas-liquid mass transfer and mineral flotation.

Xueliang Li received his master’s degree from Hebei University of Technology, China, where he researched foam fractionation in collaboration with Tianjin Kangyi Biotechnology Co., Ltd. He subsequently worked directly for the company, participating in the design of the only industrial protein foam fractionation units in the world. He commenced doctoral studies at the University of Newcastle, Australia, and then transferred to the University of Auckland, New Zealand, where he worked as a research assistant in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Upon graduation, he joined Lanzatech NZ Ltd., Auckland, New Zealand and currently leads their bioreactor scaling up effort.