The invention is directed to compositions and processes concerning efficient downstream processing of products derived from organic acids pretreatment of plant materials.

The invention is directed to compositions and processes concerning efficient downstream processing of products derived from organic acids pretreatment of plant materials.

An apparatus for separating cell suspension material into centrate and concentrate, includes a single use structure (178, 240, 250) releasably positioned in a cavity in a solid wall rotatable centrifuge bowl (172). The bowl and portions of single use structure rotate about an axis (174). A stationary inlet feed tube (184), a centrate discharge tube (212) and a concentrate discharge tube (230) extend along the axis of the rotating single use structure. A centrate centripetal pump (208) is in fluid connection with the centrate discharge tube. A concentrate centripetal pump (216) is in fluid connection with the concentrate discharge tube. A controller (274) operates responsive to sensors (264, 270) in respective centrate and concentrate discharge lines (262, 268), to control flow rates of a concentrate pump (272) and/or a centrate pump (266) to produce output flows of cell concentrate and generally cell free centrate.

A filter unit (10) for separation of particulate matter from particulate-laden liquid, the filter unit comprising: a chamber (12) defined by an upper axial end wall (14) and an opposing lower axial end wall (16) and a peripheral particle collection wall (18), the upper and lower axial end walls being spaced by the peripheral particle collection wall, the chamber being rotatable about an axis of rotation (30) so as to impart rotational motion to the liquid; an inlet (23) for delivering particulate-laden liquid into the chamber (12); an outlet (24) in the upper or lower axial end wall for discharging filtered liquid from the chamber; a flow path (22) from the inlet to the outlet; wherein the flow path includes a radial component from the inlet to the peripheral particle collection wall and an axial component along the peripheral particle collection wall.

A filter unit (10) for separation of particulate matter from particulate-laden liquid, the filter unit comprising: a chamber (12) defined by an upper axial end wall (14) and an opposing lower axial end wall (16) and a peripheral particle collection wall (18), the upper and lower axial end walls being spaced by the peripheral particle collection wall, the chamber being rotatable about an axis of rotation (30) so as to impart rotational motion to the liquid; an inlet (23) for delivering particulate-laden liquid into the chamber (12); an outlet (24) in the upper or lower axial end wall for discharging filtered liquid from the chamber; a flow path (22) from the inlet to the outlet; wherein the flow path includes a radial component from the inlet to the peripheral particle collection wall and an axial component along the peripheral particle collection wall.