Comprehensive analysis of Chinese hamster ovary cell viability loss in mini-hydrocyclones

Mini-hydrocyclones are gaining popularity as effective tools for cell retention in perfusion cultivation. As the most widely used mammalian cell for cultivation, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells experience a decline in viability after passing through mini-hydrocyclones. The reasons behind the cell viability loss within minihydrocyclones are not understood. This study aims to comprehensively examine the cell viability loss in relation to shear stress and pressure drop through a combination of experimental analysis and numerical simulations. The results show that a larger hydrocyclone conical factor or spigot diameter decreases pressure drop and shear stress, resulting in a lower cell viability loss. To evaluate the dependence of cell viability loss on shear stress and pressure drop, a correlation model is developed and a sensitivity analysis is performed. The results show that mean shear stress has the greatest impact on cell viability loss, followed by pressure drop and maximum shear stress.