Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Bioreactor
Utility Patent
1996-12-20
2001-01-02
Weber, John P. (Department: 1651)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Bioreactor
C435S261000, C435S818000
Utility Patent
active
06168949
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to an apparatus for the aerobic multiplication of micro-organisms including a tank for the acceptance of a fermentation broth and a heat exchanger for setting a desired process temperature.
Such apparatus, which are also called fermenters, are already largely well known. In these, the so-called submerged process is used in which the cells are developed within the fluid. The fermenters used in the prior art are as a rule cylindrical steel or stainless steel tanks. Cooling is performed using a double jacket, by means of tank coils or other installations. In the tank, an agitator serves the powerful mixing of the fluid. The process gas, which usually consists of air, is blown into the fermentation broth through a strainer in bubbles which are as small as possible. In aerobic processes a sufficient supply of oxygen is of decisive importance by means of a supply of sterilised air or of pure oxygen. This is where the disadvantages of conventional fermenters for the performance of the submerged process can be found. Due to the non-uniform distribution of bubble sizes in the process gas introduced and to an insufficient mixing, the oxygen supply is frequently not sufficient so that the multiplication of the micro-organisms is not performed optimally.
The object of the present invention is to ensure a sufficient process gas supply during fermentation.
This object is solved in accordance with the invention on the basis of an apparatus of the generic type by at least one atomising nozzle provided for the fine atomisation of the fermentation broth and for the mixture with the process gas.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tank for the acceptance of the fermentation broth has a conical shape in the part extending to the bottom. In the lower area of the cone, a lead begins which leads to a circulating pump. From the circulating pump a lead is then provided into the upper area of the tank with at least one atomising nozzle being positioned on that area of the lead which protrudes into the tank. The fermenter is filled with the fermentation broth in the lower area and the upper area contains the process gas atmosphere, that is, for example, air. The pump-circulated fermentation broth is mixed intensively with the process gas via the atomising nozzle. In this way, the process gas is brought into optimum contact with the micro-organisms.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a filter is provided below the conic section of the tank and below the filter a removal station for the removal of the finished fermentation broth.
All components can be located in a stackable rack together with an automatic control. Such a stackable rack positioned on a pallet allows simple transportation and any combination of several fermenters through corresponding stacking.
Advantageously, a rotationally symmetrical vortex chamber is used as the atomising nozzle which chamber is formed by a jacket and two plates closing this at the ends with at least one inlet connection set tangentially to the jacket and at least one outlet opening provided on at least one plate. The vortex chamber of the atomising nozzle can also possess only one outlet opening and the plate provided with the outlet opening closing the jacket of the vortex chamber at the end side can simultaneously be the end plate of a pipe surrounding the vortex chamber. This pipe is then advantageously simultaneously the end of the lead leading from the circulating pump into the upper section of the tank.
The atomising nozzle per se is already known from WO 95/16521 of the same applicant.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1517598 (1924-12-01), Stevenson
patent: 3957585 (1976-05-01), Malick
patent: 4244815 (1981-01-01), Chaikin et al.
patent: 4260110 (1981-04-01), Werding
patent: 4957626 (1990-09-01), Ashbrook et al.
patent: 5059357 (1991-10-01), Wolf et al.
patent: 5166067 (1992-11-01), Ishida et al.
patent: 5549917 (1996-08-01), Cherukuri et al.
patent: 95/16521 (1995-06-01), None
Jacobson Price Holman & Stern PLLC
Patten Patricia
Weber John P.
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