At a glance
Centrifugation
Depth Filtration
Decision criteria
| Criterion | Centrifugation | Depth Filtration | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Separation principle | Cell harvest, clarification | Cell debris removal, polish clarification | Density vs depth capture |
| Throughput / scale | 1,000-50,000 L/hr disc-stack | 100-10,000 L/hr | Centrifuge at scale |
| Capital cost | $300k-$3M | $30k-$300k | Depth filter lower |
| Operating cost | Moderate (energy + maintenance) | Higher per batch (consumables) | Centrifuge at high turnover |
| Product purity ceiling | 70-95% solids removal | 90-99.9% in series | Depth filter cleaner |
Quick verdict
Centrifuges are CAPEX-heavy / OPEX-light. Depth filters are CAPEX-light / OPEX-heavy. Cross over at moderate scale; combine for clinical processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I choose Centrifugation over Depth Filtration?
Use centrifugation for large-volume continuous clarification (>5,000 L/hr) where CAPEX amortises across many batches, e.g., dairy, ethanol, vaccine manufacturing.
When should I choose Depth Filtration over Centrifugation?
Use depth filtration for small-to-mid scale, single-use trains, or as a polishing step downstream of a centrifuge to remove fines.
Can these two techniques be used together?
Yes — the classic mAb harvest train is centrifugation followed by depth filtration followed by 0.2 um sterile filtration.
Which has lower OPEX at scale?
Centrifuges win at high duty cycles (consumables vs energy crossover ~3,000 L/hr continuous). Single-use depth filters dominate clinical / multi-product facilities.
Read more on each technique
Try both in your flowsheet
Build a process with each option side by side and compare yield, purity, and cost.
Open untangle.bio