The fermenter is a laboratory/pilot fermenter designed with special features for work under aseptic conditions. It is equipped with magnetically coupled agitator, flat turbine impeller that easily can be changed e.g. to marine type propeller. The aeration system allows air flows of up to 2 VVM. Electrode and sample ports are placed in the top cover, above the liquid level as well as the viewing glass. The sparger for aeration is easily exchangeable or removable for different methods of aeration. The vessel can be provided with central draft tube. To facilitate cleaning and preparation, the fermenter is mounted tiltable on a movable stand.
Piping and Control Cabinet
The cabinet is a floor standing unit built on a frame of stainless steel profiles. It can be provided with wheels for easy moving of the complete system. It contains all necessary controls for the culture vessel.
The lower part of the unit contains valves, circulation pump, heater etc. to conduct gas, steam and water for sparging, sterilisation and temperature control during the process.
The gas flow can be set with a manually operated valve and is monitored by a mechanical flow meter at the front of the unit. The system may optionally include also an electronic measurement of the gas flow, and regulation through the control system by mass flow sensor and control valve in the gas inlet line. The basic gas flow system is for air. Additional gas flow systems can be added, e.g. for O2 and/or N2.
Sterilisation, cooling and temperature are controlled by solenoid and pneumatically operated valves, the circulation pump and the heater governed from the control system. Manometers at the front indicate the pressure of the connected media.
Connections to the fermenter are placed at the left hand side, with clamp quick-connections for the flexible hoses.
The upper part of the unit contains the microprocessor control system and additional instrumentation. It is placed at the level about 1.5 m from the floor for convenient operation.
All connections of supply media are placed at the rear of the bottom frame.
The Electric Unit is mounted in the lower, right part of the unit and contains electric equipment to execute the control signals from the microprocessor control system. The unit comprises contactors and relays for the circulation pump and heater, fuses, transformers etc. and the agitator speed control unit.
Control Unit
The system can be provided with the Novaferm Fermenter Control System for direct digital control of fermentation processes based on programmable logical controllers from the SIMATIC S7 (Siemens) family. The modular concept allows control of fermenter systems from laboratory to industrial scale.
The standard control system includes hard- and software for control of temperature, speed and pH and measurement of dissolved oxygen. As an option dissolved oxygen can be cascade controlled by agitator speed and air flow. Additional parameters can be supplied on request. PC software for operator interface, but not hardware is included in the standard package.
Sensor Kit
The standard kit contains the following:
- 2 pcs Pt100 sensor with cable and connectors
- 1 pce Inductive sensor with cable and connector
- 1 pce pH sensor (Mettler) with cable and connector
- 1 pce pO2 sensor (Mettler) with cable and connector
- 1 pce Foam sensor with cable and connector
Additional sensors on request.
Pump Unit
Peristaltic pump for dosing of acid, alkali or other addition. Fix speed pump. Including glass container, tubing, sterile filter and needles. Container, hose and needles to be sterilised in autoclave. Delivered with silicone hose diameter 6,4/3,2 mm.