Yeast culture –batch and with feeding.
The fermenter is supplied in a configuration to provide an excellent bioreactor for this purpose.
- Powerful, top drive system with lubricated mechanical seal (magnetic options for Techfors)
- Jacketed system for efficient heat transfer.
- High-accuracy pumps for addition of pH control reagents, antifoam and feed (option on some units)
- Control of dissolved oxygen by stirrer speed as standard (air flow, pressure & oxygen, supplement options)
- Optional analogue feed pump for variable speed additon
- Analogue input/output for addition of external pumpsand sensros for eg. OD and Methanol
Vessels:
All vessels are stainless steel (1.4435) with a dished base and top plate in several standard sizes. Temperature control can be by water circulation with either a heating element or steam injection into a pocket/exchanger.
All vessels are with a mechanical seal drive (magnetic coupling for cells). The drive shaft has a simple and secure connection for the motor. The top plate is equipped with 10mm, PG13.5 and standard, rounded -thread 19mm ports which can be fitted with a septum and retaining collar to allow flaming of the port during inoculation etc. (number and type varies according to specific fermenter). Bottom ports are 25mm Ingold standard and numbers vary by size.
The vessels are sterilized in situ (Techfors and Techfors S) with automatic sequencing. Reagent bottles and inlet pipes etc are usually autoclaved separately (options & alternatives, depending on size and configuration)..
Stirring
The fermenter has a powerful brushless motor with integral speed controller for speeds from 100 - 1500 rpm, depending on the vessel size and number of impellors. Powerful fluid cooled motors are standard for Techfors.
x-DDC Control System:
All fermenter models except Minifors incorporate the x-DDC (eXtended DDC microprocessor control) which uses a high-performance digital system. With the use of almost identical instrumentation, the step from Bench-scale to larger equipment is made considerably easier.
The control panel is compact and is usually mounted above the base unit for clear visibility. The panel can be removed if required. Programming of parameters is via a splashproof keypad with a rotary knob for navigation and an LCD display. Communication is via a robust data-cable. For each fermenter, process information such as parameter set points, PID values etc are stored automatically on an interchangeable "memory card" . This allows changes in fermentation processes by fitting an alternative card or downloading a recipe without re-programming and the chance of errors plus an unlimited number of recipes to be stored.
An "open frame" gas supply system with four magnetic valves allow addition of components for automatic mixing of gasses for oxygen supplementation. An optional mass flow control valve ensures a controlled, steady flow of gas into the vessel. Agitation & temperature control. Four high-accuracy digital peristaltic pumps supplied as standard with the option to add an integral analogue feed pump. Addition and removal of liquids is therefore possible with a standard system (using the antifoam pump for medium take-off). Accepts a conductive probe for automatic control of antifoam addition or media addition/removal in a vessel. Works together with the integral peristaltic pumps. |
