Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Bioreactor
Patent
1991-03-01
1993-04-20
Warden, Robert J.
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Bioreactor
422 98, 436149, 435313, 204408, 204415, C12M 134, C12M 104, G01N 2518
Patent
active
052042626
ABSTRACT:
A probe for continuously measuring the precise concentration of liquid ethanol in a fermentation broth over the range of feasible fermentation temperatures. The probe includes a thermal sensor, a gas permeable membrane leading to a vapor channel, an ethanol vapor sensor in a vapor sensing chamber, and a microcomputer. The microcomputer is loaded with a first set of data defining the initial parameters of the fermentation broth and a set of data defining the ethanol diffusion rate through the gas permeable membrane as a function of the temperature of such fermentation broth. Inlet and outlet connection and tubular interconnections are provided for leading a flushing gas through the vapor channel, past the ethanol vapor sensor and out a vent outlet. Electrical lines leading from the thermal sensor to the microcomputer provide an input signal which is proportional to the temperature of the fermentation broth. Electrical lines also lead from the ethanol vapor sensor to the microcomputer to provide a signal which is proportional to the concentration of ethanol vapor. Evaluating software is loaded into the microcomputer to correlate the fermentation broth temperature, the ethanol vapor concentration and the ethanol diffusion rate through the gas permeable membrane as a function of temperature to provide an output of the actual concentration of liquid ethanol in the fermentation broth. On the basis of the ethanol liquid concentration so-determined, the microcomputer can automatically control temperature, pH, oxygen concentration and nutrient supply process parameters of the fermentation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3955929 (1976-05-01), Kawakami et al.
patent: 4404284 (1983-09-01), Heider et al.
patent: 4569826 (1986-02-01), Shiratori et al.
patent: 4656140 (1987-04-01), Yamada et al.
patent: 4692414 (1987-09-01), Yamada et al.
patent: 4706493 (1987-11-01), Chang et al.
patent: 4849180 (1989-07-01), Fukui
patent: 4869873 (1989-09-01), Klein et al.
Yamane, Application of Porous Teflon Tubing Method to Automatic Fed-Batch Culture of Microorganisms, Biotechnology and Bioengineering, vol. XXIII (1981) Parts I and II, pp. 2493-2524.
Meiering Anton G.
Subden Ronald E.
Trembley T. A.
Warden Robert J.
LandOfFree
Ethanol sensor for computerized fermentation control does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ethanol sensor for computerized fermentation control, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ethanol sensor for computerized fermentation control will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1525699