The biomass pulse-response method was established and the biomass transmission index was introduced as a quantitative parameter for evaluating the biomass-adsorbent interactions in the expanded bed.With baker’s yeast intact cells and cell debris as the model biomass and anion exchanger Streamline DEAE as the model adsorbent

a series of factors were investigated to optimize the evaluation method.The appropriate operation conditions were chosen as the OD600 of biomass pulse at the range of 0.5—0.6

and pulse loading at 80% volume of sedimented bed

expansion factor at 2.5.The method was then used to study the influence of ionic strength of fluid phase on the biomass-adsorbent interactions.The consistent results and slight measurement errors demonstrated that the biomass pulse-response method established in the present work is feasible

reliable and effective for quantitative evaluation of biomass-adsorbent interactions in the expanded bed.