Bioreactor System: Instrumentation and Control
Bioreactor System: Instrumentation and Control
What is a Bioreactor?
An apparatus for growing organisms (yeast, bacteria, or animal cells) under controlled conditions. Used in industrial processes to produce pharmaceuticals, vaccines, or antibodies. Also used to convert raw materials into useful byproducts such as in the bioconversion of corn into ethanol. Bioreactors supply a homogeneous (same throughout) environment by constantly stirring the contents. Bioreactors give the cells a controlled environment by ensuring the same temperature, pH, and oxygen levels.
Types of Bioreactors
• Batch: Media and cells are added to the reactor and it is run until a predetermined set point (i.e. time, concentration). The bioreactor has a constant volume (the initial volume).
• Fed-Batch: The bioreactor is a batch process in the beginning and after a certain point a feed input is introduced and the volume of the vessel increases.
• Continuous: The bioreactor starts with an initial volume and media is constantly introduced and product is constantly taken out. The inputs and outputs are at the same rate, so the volume always remains the same.
Bioreactor Components
Agitator
• An agitator is required to mix the contents in the vessel to ensure a homogeneous environment.
• Agitators consist of a shaft and impellers.
• Mixing of the bioreactor is crucial in order to supply nutrients and oxygen to the culture and to maintain a constant pH and temperature.
Sparger
• The sparger is an apparatus used to introduce gasses into the vessel.
• Spargers are located at the bottom of the vessel and consist of a tube with tiny holes for the gas to escape through into the culture.
• The gas coming out of the sparger helps to aerate and mix the contents in the vessel, as well as supply oxygen to the cells.
Baffles
• Baffles are obstructions on the side of the vessel that generate turbulence in the flow of the culture.
• Baffles are made out of stainless steel
What is a Bioreactor?
An apparatus for growing organisms (yeast, bacteria, or animal cells) under controlled conditions. Used in industrial processes to produce pharmaceuticals, vaccines, or antibodies. Also used to convert raw materials into useful byproducts such as in the bioconversion of corn into ethanol. Bioreactors supply a homogeneous (same throughout) environment by constantly stirring the contents. Bioreactors give the cells a controlled environment by ensuring the same temperature, pH, and oxygen levels.
Types of Bioreactors
• Batch: Media and cells are added to the reactor and it is run until a predetermined set point (i.e. time, concentration). The bioreactor has a constant volume (the initial volume).
• Fed-Batch: The bioreactor is a batch process in the beginning and after a certain point a feed input is introduced and the volume of the vessel increases.
• Continuous: The bioreactor starts with an initial volume and media is constantly introduced and product is constantly taken out. The inputs and outputs are at the same rate, so the volume always remains the same.
Bioreactor Components
Agitator
• An agitator is required to mix the contents in the vessel to ensure a homogeneous environment.
• Agitators consist of a shaft and impellers.
• Mixing of the bioreactor is crucial in order to supply nutrients and oxygen to the culture and to maintain a constant pH and temperature.
Sparger
• The sparger is an apparatus used to introduce gasses into the vessel.
• Spargers are located at the bottom of the vessel and consist of a tube with tiny holes for the gas to escape through into the culture.
• The gas coming out of the sparger helps to aerate and mix the contents in the vessel, as well as supply oxygen to the cells.
Baffles
• Baffles are obstructions on the side of the vessel that generate turbulence in the flow of the culture.
• Baffles are made out of stainless steel