Cephalosporin C Membrane Extraction System | High-Efficiency Separation · Yield Improvement · Process Upgrading

Cephalosporin C is a key intermediate in the production of semi-synthetic cephalosporin antibiotics. Its fermentation broth contains substantial amounts of mycelium, proteins, and suspended solids. Traditional plate-and-frame filtration and vacuum drum filtration processes are plagued by cumbersome operations, poor filtrate quality, and low product yields. Shandong Qisheng Membrane Separation has integrated ceramic membrane and nanofiltration membrane technologies into the Cephalosporin C extraction process, achieving efficient impurity removal, low-temperature concentration, and clean production, thereby helping enterprises improve both yield and product quality.

Process Flow

Fermentation Broth → Ceramic Membrane Ultrafiltration (Impurity Removal) → Nanofiltration Membrane Concentration → Ion Exchange/Crystallization → High-Purity Cephalosporin C

• Ceramic Membrane Ultrafiltration: Removes mycelium, proteins, and suspended solids in a single step, producing a filtrate with high light transmittance and reducing subsequent resin contamination.

• Nanofiltration Membrane Concentration: Enables high-concentration factor of the target product, reducing solvent consumption and increasing equipment throughput.

Technical Advantages

Significantly Improved Yield – The membrane system achieves precise separation, effectively increasing Cephalosporin C yield by 5–12%. The concentrated mycelium can be recovered as animal feed, enabling more comprehensive resource utilization.

Excellent Filtrate Quality – High separation precision produces a clear and transparent filtrate, substantially reducing the load on ion exchange and concentration steps while promoting crystallization efficiency.

Low-Temperature Operation Preserving Activity – The entire process operates at ambient temperatures with no phase change or chemical reactions, ensuring that the bioactivity of Cephalosporin C remains intact.

Anti-Fouling Design for Stable Operation – Cross-flow operation eliminates the need for filter aids, offering strong fouling resistance. Equipped with automatic cleaning and PLC control, the system is easy to operate and maintain with low upkeep costs.

Compliant Production, Clean and Safe – The system is constructed from sanitary-grade materials compliant with GMP standards. The fully enclosed piping design eliminates cross-contamination risks.

The Qisheng Membrane Extraction System has been successfully deployed in large-scale production of various antibiotics, including cephalosporins, erythromycin, and vancomycin, providing enterprises with efficient, energy-saving, and scalable process solutions. Please contact Shandong Qisheng Membrane Separation for technical proposals and project support!