Fermentation and bio-reactor design

FERMENTER AND

BIOREACTORDESIGNRaffia Siddique

National University of Sciences and Technology sector H-12 Islamabad

raffiasiddique_93@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

Fermentation is the process which requires fermenter or a bioreactor, the basic thing which enable the scientist help in their biotechnological research, to see their desired products being produced. The complete bioreactor design from inside and outside is being elaborated along with different types of fermenters which help in different type of fermentation processes. The bioreactor parts, its assembly, disassembly, cleaning autoclaving. The performance of bioreactors and different problems which arise during the functioning of bioreactors are being discussed. Method of sampling are also unscrambled, hence a complete package on design of bioreactor and fermenter

Introduction

Bioreactor• A bioreactor can be defined

as an apparatus, such as a large fermentation chamber, for growing organisms such as bacteria or yeast that are used in the biotechnological manufacture of substances such as pharmaceuticals, antibodies, or vaccines, or for the bioconversion of organic waste.

Fermenter• However a fermenter can be

defined as an apparatus that maintains optimal conditions for the growth of microorganisms, used in large-scale fermentation and in the commercial production of antibiotics and hormones

What is common in bioreactor and fermenter?

• In both the fermenters and the

bioreactors fermentation is

carried out.

• and fermentation is the

anaerobic conversion of sugar to

carbon dioxide and alcohol by

yeast.

Component parts of Bioreactors

There are four main subdivisions of a standard bioreactor (STR);1. Base Unit2. Culture Vessel3. Peripheral Equipment4. Instrumentation for measurement and /or

control of key process parameters with links to supervisory of software and remote control facility.

Fermenter / bioreactor general appearance

Component

parts of characteristic

vessel

1. round bottom , top plate

2. Seal3. Sample pipe4. Port fittings of

various sizes5. special inoculation

port 6. gas sparger 7. A drive motor8. Drive shaft9. Impellers10.Baffles11.Air Filter

Cont.12.Dissolved oxygen

electrode13.pH electrode14.Antifoam probe15.Cooling Valve16.Heater pad17.Pt-100 temperature

sensor18.Cold finger19.Reagent bottles20.Sample device 21.controller base unit

Peripheral parts and accessories

I. Peristaltic pumpsII.Medium Feed Pumps

And Reservoir BottlesIII.Rota meter/ Gas supplyIV. Sampling device

Common Measurement And Control Systems

1. Speed Control

2. Temperature Control

3. Control of Gas Supply

4. Control of pH

5. Control of Dissolved

Oxygen

6. Anti-Foam Control

7. Feed Control

Bioreactor/ Fermenter Designs

1.Stirred Tank 2.Air lift reactors3.Bubble Column4.Packed bed reactors5.Trickle bed reactors6.Fluidized bed reactor

Stirred tank reactor• Mixing method:

Mechanical agitation• High input required• Baffles are

constructed within the built-in.

• Applications include production of antibiotics and free/immobilized enzymes

• Draw back is that high shear forces may break the cells

Air lift reactors

Mixing method: airlift• Central draft tube• Up-flowing stream

and down flowing stream

• Homogenization of all components present

• Applications includebacterial, animal, plant, fungi and yeast cells.

Bubble column reactor

Mixing method: Gas sparging• Simple design• Good heat and mass

transfer rates• Low energy input• Gas-liquid mass transfer

coefficients depend largely on bubble diameter and gas hold-up

Packed bed reactor• Column with

attached biofilm• Biocatalysts• Pump is required

to make fluid move through the packed bed

• Applications include waste water treatment

Fluidized bed reactor

• When the packed beds are operated in up-flow mode, the bed expands at high liquid flow rates due to upward motion of the particles.

• Energy is required• Waste water

treatment

Trickle bed reactors• Liquid is sprayed onto

the top of the packing and trickles down through the bed in small rivulets.

• In the process, the gaseous pollutants on the surface of the carriers is adsorbed and immediately biologically mineralized (degraded) by the microorganisms.

References• ”Bioreactor”. Def. The Free Dictionary by Farlex.from

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bioreactor

• Bioreactor. An Encyclopedia Britannica.From http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bioreactor

• ”fermentor”.Def. The Free Dictionary by Farlex.from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/fermenter

• ”fermentation” . Def. The Free Dictionary by Farlex.from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/fermentation

Thank you