Seeking assistance with bacterial protein dehydration process

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Our company produces ethanol using the Clostridium ethanolobium fermentation method. In the final stage of this process, dehydration of Clostridium ethanolobium cells presents difficulties; these cells are approximately 0.5 μm in size. The current approach involves using polyacrylamide for flocculation, removing the upper layer of water, then feeding the mixture into a plate and frame filter press for further flash evaporation. However, the addition of polyacrylamide makes the feed very viscous, and as the water is removed, the cells themselves also become more viscous, leading to sticking to the plates and filter fabric – a problem that is quite severe, as the cells basically cannot fall through as a whole. Technical solutions are being sought to address this issue; improvements are hoped for in the flocculation and filtration processes, while flash evaporation will remain in use. Requirements: 1. The substance used must meet the standards for feed additives (the dried microbial cells are to be used as feed ingredients); it must not contaminate water, as wastewater treatment would be complicated. 2. It is hoped to avoid polyacrylamide flocculation, as its price is too high. 3 The process and equipment can be appropriately modified. If this problem can be solved, our company is willing to acquire this technology at an additional cost. PS: Monosodium glutamate factories should involve the same technology.