BioFlo 5000^® Sterilizable-In-Place Fermentor
(80 & 120 Liters Total Volume)

Mobile Pilot Plant
The BioFlo 5000 mobile pilot plant represents a major advance in the design of industrial fermentors. It is completely sterilizable in place and is built on an all-stainless steel open frame that occupies only 7.3 sq. ft. (0.70m2) of laboratory floor space. The fermentation pilot plant is available in 80 and 120 liter capacities and is equipped with all stainless steel piping and fittings. BioFlo 5000 provides microprocessor control of six process loops: D.O., pH, temperature, agitation, nutrient feed and sterilization. Foam and liquid level are controlled automatically and the entire system is PC-compatible for data logging and computer optimization.

Stainless Steel Pressure Vessel
The 316 low carbon stainless steel culture vessel is jacketed for rapid in-situ sterilization and precise temperature. ASME-coded, the vessel and jacket are rated for 40 psig (2.8 kg/cm2) and 50 psig (3.5 kg/cm2), respectively.

Steam Sterilization
The vessel, process piping, valves and filters are sterilized in an automatic program that controls heat-up, sterilization time and cool-down to growth temperature. A safety override permits manual operation of the pneumatic control valves in the sterilization/cooling system.

ADVANCED FEATURES

• 8" (20.3 cm) vacuum fluorescent display improves viewing under all light conditions
• Adaptable to recirculation of tempered water with optional chiller to conserve water
• Mobile system facilitates cleaning and preparation
• Minimum OTR of 350 mM O2/L/Hr (40 & 80 L units only)
• Up to 1,500 mM O2/L/Hr via O2 supplementation with optional 2-gas mixer
• Sterilizable-in-place system easy to use and control
• Controls D.O., pH, temperature, agitation, nutrient feed and automatic sterilization
• In-line sterilization air and exhaust filters
• Powerful 1½ hp industrial drive
• Double mechanical agitator seal with steam-condensate lubrication between seals for long-term durability and sterility
• High-level foam control system (exhaust line) shuts off air and reduces agitation while signaling alarm
• Three resterilizable process ports: Addition/Inoculation, Sampling and Harvest Ports
• Serial port for data logging and computer control
• Rapid temperature shift enhances protein production in temperature induction studies
• Themal Mass Flow Controller provides precise control of air and gas flow
• Three Peristaltic Pumps: Acid, Base, and Antifoam addition
• Swing-away headplate for convenient access to vessel interior
• Unit available in 80 and 120 liter sizes
• Double "O" ring seals on all major ports
• In-line amplifiers for pH and D.O. sensors; compatible with polarographic and galvanic D.O. probes

Side Wall Penetrations

• Ring Sparger and Gas Overlay
• Three Septum Addition Ports
• Resterilizable Inoculation Port with Quick-Connect
• Rupture Disc
• Five Ingold-Type Probe Ports
• Resterilizable Sample Port with Quick-Connect
• Resterilizable Bottom Drain Valve with Quick-Connect
• Jacket Pressure Relief Valve
• Bottom Agitator Double Mechanical Seal Housing

Headplate penetrations

• Probe Ports (Foam & Level)*
• Diaphragm-Type Pressure Gauge
• High Foam-Sensing Probe in Exhaust Gas Line*
• Combination Filling and Inoculation Port
• D.O. Probe Port* (*Sensor supplied)

Agitator Seal Design
To ensure long-term sterility, a double mechanical carbon-to-tungsten-carbide seal assembly is mounted in a pressurized steam/steam-condensate environment. To maintain constant pressure, a back-pressure regulator and gauge is installed in the condensate line. A drop in pressure provides an early-warning indication of a loss in seal integrity.

Sterile Air System
Air or other gases are fed to a pressure regulator, flowmeter and in-line cartridge-type air filter, ensuring precise flow rate control. The in-line air and exhaust filters are designed for 100% removal of viable organisms. Air is metered to a ring sparger and/or gas overlay line. Vessel pressure is maintained by automatic adjustment of a back-pressure regulator.

An in-line heater installed in the exhaust line keeps moisture-laden gases above the dew-point and prevents condensation in the exhaust filter. To minimize evaporation of the culture, an exhaust gas condensor can be installed as an optional feature. A safety relief rupture disc is side-wall mounted on the vessel and is piped to convey any spillage away from the fermentor.

Sampling and addition/inoculation are accomplished with resterilizable valves designed for aseptic operation. A straight through flow path attains complete sterilization of the valve and transfer lines. Double O-rings replace internal threads. The valves are readily removable and cleanable.

Addition Pumps
Three pumps are programmable for addition of acid, base, and antifoam. An electrical outlet is available for operation of an optional nutrient feed pump which may be regulated via front-panel keypad or by remote input from an external computer.