FERMENTERS AND BIOREACTORS DESIGN

FERMENTERS AND BIOREACTORS DESIGN

There are many requirements that need to be met in the design of a large production scale fermentation facility. Aspects of design to be considered include design yield basis, operating schedule, media sterilization, fermenter and ancillary vessel design, piping systems, CIP/SIP and CGMP compliance. To be successful, a well thought-out and well-designed sanitary/sterile envelope is therefore crucial to the fermentation/biotech facility.

A fermenter is the set up to carry out the process of fermentation. The fermenters vary from laboratory experimental models of one or two litres capacity, to industrial models of several hundred litres capacity, which refers to the volume of the main fermenting vessel.

A bioreactor differs from a fermenter in that the former is used for the mass culture of plant or animal cells, instead of micro-organisms. The chemical compounds synthesised by these cultured cells, such as therapeutic agents, can be extracted easily from the cell biomass.

The design engineering and operational parameters of both fermenters and bioreactors are identical. With the involvement of micro-organisms as elicitors in some situations, the distinction between the two concepts is being gradually obliterated.

Functions/Requirements of Fermenter

1) Provide operation free from contamination;

2) Maintain a specific temperature;

3) Provide adequate mixing and aeration;

4) Control the pH of the culture;

5) Allow monitoring and/or control of dissolved oxygen;

6) Allow feeding of nutrient solutions and reagents;

7) Provide access points for inoculation and sampling;

8) Minimize liquid loss from the vessel;

9) Facilitate the growth of a wide range of organisms.

(Allman A.R., 1999: Fermentation Microbiology and Biotechnology)

Main parts of a Benchtop fermentor

1) Mechanical: drive motor, heater, pump, gas control, etc;

2) Vessel and accessories;

3) Peripheral equipment such as reagent bottles;

4) Instrumentation and sensors.

Types of Fermenter

1. Activated sludge Fermenter
2.Air Lift Fermenter

3.Bubble cap Fermenter

4. Loop Fermenter

5.Mist Fermenter

6. Packed Bed Fermenter

7.Rotating Drug Fermenter

8. Tower Fermenter

9.Trickling Film Fermenter