Small fermenter for intensive and rapid cell cultures - has extended baffle plates in outer ring chamber

摘要

Microorganisms or cell cultures are propagated continuously or discontinuously, under sterile conditions, in fluid nutrient solns., by means of a small fermenter. This consists of a vertical cylindrical container with an inner working chamber in which a rotary agitator is fitted on a shaft extending over the whole length of the container. Between the inner chamber and the outer container there is an annular chamber at the bottom of which there is a gas feed inlet. Projecting radially inwards across the outer chamber, baffle plates are fitted. These extend above and below the edges of the inner chamber over the length of the container and reach from the inner wall of the container to the outer wall of the working chamber. The fermenter is designed partic. to ensure a much better degree of transfer of the gases in the nutrient soln., in the outer annular chamber, and at the same time to reduce the length of time required for fermentation. The extension of the baffles above and below the working chamber intensifies the agitation of the fluid and the gases, whilst in the outer chamber a rapid, rising, laminar flow is set up. Cell densities of 2-20g. dry wt. per litre of nutrient or culture fluid can be achieved.