Process and apparatus for electrically desorbing components selectively sorbed on an electrolytically conducting barrier

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
A method of recovering biospecifically, sorbable components dispersed in an aqueous solution comprising: (a) contacting said solution as a first solution with an electrolytically conducting barrier having biospecific sorbing properties for at least one of said components whereby a substantial fraction of said components in said solution having biospecific binding affinity for said barrier is sorbed by said barrier; (b) removing said first solution from contact with the said barrier; (c) contacting said barrier with a second aqueous solution; (d) passing a direct electric current through said barrier and said second solution in a direction approximately parallel to the smallest dimension of said barrier thereby facilitating the desorption of at least one of said components having biospecific binding affinity for the said barrier into said second solution; and (e) removing said second solution from contact with said barrier.
2.
Apparatus for recovering biospecifically, sorbable components dispersed in an aqueous solution comprising: (a) an electrolytically conducting barrier having biospecific sorbing properties for at least one of said components; (b) means for contacting said solution with said barrier whereby components in said solution having biospecific binding affinity for said barrier are at least in part sorbed by said barrier; (c) means for removing said solution from contact with said barrier; (d) means for contacting said barrier with a second aqueous solution as a receiving solution; (e) means for passing a direct electric current through said barrier and said second solution in a direction approximately parallel to the smallest dimension of said barrier thereby to facilitate the desorption from said barrier of at least one of said components having biospecific binding affinity for said barrier into said second solution and (f) means for removing said second solution from contact with said barrier.
3.
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said barrier has the form of a cylinder