Hydrodynamic behaviour and biochemical characterization of a simple custom expanded bed column made by Nanobiotechnology Group (NBG) was compared with a commercial expanded bed contactor. Hydrodynamic characteristics of the columns (D_axl and Bo) with various settled bed height (SBH = 5 - 10 cm, increment of 1 cm) along with variety of column diameters (1.0, 1.6, 2.0 and 2.5 cm) were investigated. All parameters were found to be comparable or superior to those reported for conventional, expanded bed contactors. However, the experimental values of Richardson-Zaki coefficient determined here were close to the value of 4.8, commonly used in the laminar flow regime. The expansion coefficient and terminal velocity of the adsorbent (Streamline^™ DEAE) were theoretically calculated based on correlation stated in the literature and also experimentally determined. The adsorbent was also used in batch binding experiments, as well as in commercial and custom assembled expanded bed contactors with various feedstocks comprising bovine serum albumin and egg albumin. This evaluation exhibited good capacities and adsorption/desorption performance of NBG column in compare with commercial expanded bed column. The hydrodynamic behaviour of expanded bed adsorption and the generic application of simple NBG column and its potential for the purification and recovery of protein products are thoroughly discussed.

Key words: Expanded bed adsorption, hydrodynamic performance, protein adsorption, batch binding.