Virus concentration using hollow fiber membranes

A cellulose acetate hollow fiber membrane permeator was used to concentrate polio-l virus from 51. of water. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of several independent variables—radial flow direction, feed flow rate. feed concentration. cell type and effectiveness of backwashing—on process performance. The average virus recovery was 85° for a 50-fold dehydration in about 1 h. It is envisioned that the hollow fiber permeator. because of its compactness. low water hold-up. light weight and low cost. will be used as the first step of a system to concentrate and quantify viruses in contaminated waters.