Sterile lubricating sealing liquid supply device for bioreactor
Through the combination of the sterile gas supply assembly and the storage container, the sterile lubrication sealing liquid is provided to the dual mechanical seal bearing chamber of the bioreactor, solving the problems of energy waste and heat conduction, and achieving sterile lubrication and energy-saving effects.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422531646.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-11
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-10-21
AI Technical Summary
In existing bioreactors, the use of high-temperature steam lubrication sealing liquid systems has risks of energy waste, heat conduction affecting cell culture and steam leakage.
The sterile gas supply assembly and storage container are used to maintain the positive pressure in the storage container through the sterile gas, and provide the sterile lubricating sealing liquid to the intermediate sealing chamber of the dual mechanical sealing bearing chamber, and use condensed water as lubricating liquid to avoid steam supply.
Energy-saving and sterile lubrication is achieved, and heat conduction affects cell culture and steam leakage is avoided, and the sterile state of the dual mechanical sealed bearing chamber is maintained.
Smart Images
Figure CN223089991U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of sealing, and specifically relates to a sterile lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor. Background Art
[0002] During the use of a bioreactor, its stirring bearing chamber usually adopts double mechanical seals, and is sealed by an externally supplied lubricating sealant system;
[0003] The working principle of the lubricating sealant system is: introducing steam into the intermediate seal cavity of the stirring bearing chamber for lubrication and sealing, providing high-temperature steam for the stirring bearing chamber while maintaining the sterile environment of the mechanical seal; however, this method has several defects:
[0004] 1. This method needs to supply steam to the stirring bearing chamber for 24 hours, which is easy to cause energy waste;
[0005] 2. The temperature of the high-temperature steam will be transmitted to the culture medium in the bioreactor by heat conduction through the stirring shaft, affecting cell culture;
[0006] 3. The steam in the intermediate seal cavity is easy to leak into the tank body of the bioreactor, thus affecting cell culture. Content of the Utility Model
[0007] The utility model aims at the technical problems existing in the prior art, and provides a sterile lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor.
[0008] The technical solution for the utility model to solve the above technical problems is as follows: a sterile lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor, comprising: a sterile gas supply component, a storage container, the output end of the sterile gas supply component is communicated with the sterile air input end of the storage container, and the sealant output end of the storage container is communicated with the intermediate seal cavity of the double mechanical seal bearing chamber through a pipeline, so that the sterile gas supply component maintains a positive pressure in the storage container and at the same time promotes the sealant in the storage container to be supplied to the static and dynamic rings in the intermediate seal cavity.
[0009] As a further technical solution, the sterile gas supply component includes a hydrophobic component, and the hydrophobic component is communicated with the double mechanical seal bearing chamber, so that after the steam sterilizes the storage container, a part of the steam is discharged through the double mechanical seal bearing chamber and the hydrophobic component, and the other part of the steam is stored in the storage container to form a sealant.
[0010] As a further technical solution, the sterile gas supply assembly further includes a first pipeline, a pressure regulating valve, a filter, and a first valve sequentially arranged on the first pipeline, so that compressed air enters through the gas input end of the first pipeline, forms sterile air, and then enters the storage container from the gas output end of the first pipeline to maintain positive pressure sterility in the storage container and simultaneously control the supply of the sealing liquid to the dynamic and static rings in the intermediate sealing cavity.
[0011] As a further technical solution, the sterile gas supply assembly further includes a second pipeline and a second valve arranged on the second pipeline. The input end of the second pipeline is communicated with steam, and the output end is communicated with an air inlet end of the storage container, so that steam enters the storage container through the second pipeline for sterilization.
[0012] As a further technical solution, the hydrophobic assembly includes a third pipeline and a third valve arranged on the third pipeline. The input end of the third pipeline is communicated with the double mechanical seal bearing chamber, and the output end of the third pipeline is connected to an external hydrophobic valve, so that a part of the steam flows to the hydrophobic valve after passing through the second pipeline, the storage container, the double mechanical seal bearing chamber, and the third pipeline in sequence, and another part of the steam is stored in the storage container to form a sealing liquid.
[0013] As a further technical solution, the second valve and the third valve are opened simultaneously.
[0014] As a further technical solution, when the first valve is opened, the second valve and the third valve are closed.
[0015] The beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows:
[0016] 1. Due to the structure and working relationship of the sterile gas supply assembly with the storage container and the double mechanical seal bearing chamber, on the one hand, the positive pressure in the storage container can be maintained, and on the other hand, the sealing liquid in the storage container can be promoted to be supplied to the dynamic and static rings in the intermediate sealing cavity of the double mechanical seal bearing chamber, so that the double mechanical seal bearing chamber does not need to be supplied with steam for 24 hours during use, but only needs steam during the sterilization of the storage container, meeting the energy-saving requirements of the production workshop;
[0017] 2. When the storage container supplies the sealing liquid to the double mechanical seal bearing chamber, the double mechanical seal bearing chamber always remains in a sterile state. At the same time, since the sealing liquid is condensed water formed by the cooling of steam, there is no heat conduction to the culture medium in the bioreactor, thus avoiding the influence of temperature on cell culture and also eliminating the risk of steam entering the culture tank during cell culture;
[0018] 3. The entire supply device of the present utility model is in a sterile environment to lubricate and seal the intermediate sealing cavity in the double mechanical seal bearing chamber. Description of the Drawings
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a sterile lubricating and sealing liquid supply device for a bioreactor of the present utility model. Among them, the arrow indicates the gas movement direction.
[0020] In the attached drawings, the list of components represented by each label is as follows:
[0021] Sterile gas supply assembly 1, hydrophobic assembly 11, third pipeline 111, third valve 112, first pipeline 12, pressure regulating valve 13, filter 14, first valve 15, second pipeline 16, second valve 17;
[0022] Storage container 2;
[0023] Double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3, intermediate seal cavity 31. Detailed implementation manners
[0024] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the attached drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts fall within the protection scope of the present application.
[0025] In the description of the present application, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.
[0026] In the description of the present application, the term "for example" is used to mean "serving as an example, illustration, or explanation". Any embodiment described as "for example" in the present application is not necessarily construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments. In order for any person skilled in the art to implement and use the present utility model, the following description is given. In the following description, details are set forth for purposes of explanation. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can recognize that the present utility model can be implemented without using these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and processes are not elaborated in detail to avoid obscuring the description of the present utility model with unnecessary details. Therefore, the present utility model is not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiments, but is consistent with the broadest scope that conforms to the principles and features disclosed in the present application.
[0027] Embodiment 1
[0028] To save resources, reduce costs, and avoid supplying steam to the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3 in the bioreactor for 24 hours, refer to Figure 1 , this embodiment provides a sterile lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor, including: a sterile gas supply component 1 and a storage container 2. The output end of the sterile gas supply component 1 is communicated with the sterile air input end of the storage container 2. The sealant output end of the storage container 2 is communicated with the intermediate seal cavity 31 of the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3 through a pipeline, so that the sterile gas supply component 1 maintains a positive pressure in the storage container 2 and at the same time promotes the supply of the sealant in the storage container 2 to the dynamic and static rings in the intermediate seal cavity 31.
[0029] The sterile gas supply component 1 first sterilizes the storage container 2, then supplies positive pressure to it while supplying the sealant in it to the intermediate seal cavity 31 in the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3, so as to maintain an extremely thin liquid film between the two end faces of the dynamic and static rings in the intermediate seal cavity 31, thereby achieving the purpose of lubricating and sealing the intermediate seal cavity 31.
[0030] Specifically, the storage container 2 is a storage container 2 for sterile lubricating sealant.
[0031] In the specific implementation process, the sterile gas supply component 1 includes a hydrophobic component 11. The hydrophobic component 11 is communicated with the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3, so that after the steam sterilizes the storage container 2, a part of the steam is discharged through the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3 and the hydrophobic component 11, and the other part of the steam is stored in the storage container 2 to form a sealant.
[0032] The liquid outlet of the hydrophobic component 11 is communicated with a steam trap. During the sterilization of the storage container 2 by steam, the steam sequentially passes through the storage container 2, the intermediate seal cavity 31 of the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3 and then is discharged through the hydrophobic component 11. After sterilization for a period of time, the storage container 2 reaches a sterile state, so there is no need to input steam into the storage container 2. During this process, part of the steam is stored in the storage container 2 and becomes condensed water after natural cooling. This condensed water is the lubricating sealant required for the intermediate seal cavity 31 in the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3.
[0033] In the specific implementation process, the sterile gas supply assembly 1 further includes a first pipeline 12, a pressure regulating valve 13, a filter 14, and a first valve 15 arranged in sequence on the first pipeline 12. Compressed air enters through the gas input end of the first pipeline 12, forms sterile air, and then enters the storage container 2 from the gas output end of the first pipeline 12 to maintain a positive-pressure sterile environment in the storage container 2 and at the same time control the supply of sealing liquid to the dynamic and static rings in the intermediate sealing cavity 31. This process needs to start after the storage container 2 is first sterilized with steam; the sealing liquid here is an extremely thin liquid film formed in the extremely small gap between the two end faces of the dynamic and static rings to achieve the purpose of lubricating and sealing.
[0034] The sterile gas supply assembly 1 further includes a second pipeline 16 and a second valve 17 arranged on the second pipeline 16. The input end of the second pipeline 16 is connected to steam, and the output end is connected to an air inlet end of the storage container 2, so that steam enters the storage container 2 through the second pipeline 16 for sterilization. When the sterilization in the storage container 2 is completed, the second valve 17 is closed;
[0035] The hydrophobic component 11 includes a third pipeline 111 and a third valve 112 arranged on the third pipeline 111. The input end of the third pipeline 111 is connected to the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3, and the output end of the third pipeline 111 is connected to an external hydrophobic valve, so that a part of the steam flows to the hydrophobic valve after passing through the second pipeline 16, the storage container 2, the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3, and the third pipeline 111 in sequence, and another part of the steam is stored in the storage container 2 to form the sealing liquid.
[0036] In this embodiment, each valve can be one of an electric valve, a pneumatic valve, and a manual valve, which is specifically determined according to actual needs. When it is a manual valve, the steam meter on the storage container 2 is a mechanical meter. When it is a pneumatic valve or an electric valve, the supply device is in a fully automatic control mode;
[0037] It should be noted that a pressure sensor for detecting pressure, a liquid sensor for detecting the amount of condensed water, a liquid level gauge, etc. are provided on the storage container 2 to detect the pressure and the amount of condensed water in the storage container 2 in real time.
[0038] The implementation steps of the present utility model are as follows:
[0039] 1. Sterilization: The first valve 15 is closed, the second valve 17 and the third valve 112 are both opened, steam enters the storage container 2 through the second valve 17 along the second pipeline 16, sterilizes the storage container 2, then enters the intermediate sealing cavity 31 of the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3 through the pipeline, and finally is discharged through the third pipeline 111, the third valve 112, and the hydrophobic valve;
[0040] 2. Formation of sealing liquid: After the storage container 2 has been sterilized for a period of time and reaches a sterile state, the third valve 112 and the second valve 17 are closed. At this time, a part of the steam is still stored in the storage container 2, and this part of the steam is naturally cooled into condensed water, which is the sealing liquid with lubricating and sealing functions required in the intermediate sealing cavity 31 of the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3.
[0041] 3. Lubrication and sealing: Open the first valve 15, and compressed air enters from the third pipeline 111. After passing through the pressure regulating valve 13, the filter 14, and the first valve 15, it forms sterile air and enters the storage container 2 to maintain the positive pressure in the storage container 2 and ensure that the inside of the storage container 2 is a sterile positive pressure environment. At the same time, it promotes the condensed water generated in step 2 to supply the dynamic and static rings in the intermediate sealing cavity 31 of the double mechanical seal bearing chamber 3, so that a very thin liquid film (formed by the condensed water) will be maintained in the extremely small gap between the two end faces of the dynamic and static rings, and the purpose of lubrication and sealing is achieved through this liquid film.
[0042] In the supply device prepared in this embodiment, steam does not need to be supplied for 24 hours. Steam supply is only required when the storage container 2 of the supply device needs to be sterilized, which meets the current energy-saving requirements in the production workshop. At the same time, it will not conduct heat to the culture medium of the bioreactor, nor will it contaminate the culture medium, and it has no impact on the regulation of cell culture (for example, temperature), and steam will not enter the stirring tank of the bioreactor during cell culture.
[0043] It should be noted that in the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have their own focuses. For the parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.
[0044] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art can make additional changes and modifications to these embodiments once they know the basic inventive concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be construed as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present invention.
[0045] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalent technologies, the present invention is also intended to include these changes and modifications.
Claims
1. A sterile lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor, characterized in that, Comprising: A sterile gas supply assembly (1) and a storage container (2), the output end of the sterile gas supply assembly (1) is communicated with the sterile air input end of the storage container (2), and the sealed liquid output end of the storage container (2) is communicated with the intermediate seal cavity (3) of the double mechanical seal bearing chamber (3) through a pipeline, so that the sterile gas supply assembly (1) maintains a positive pressure in the storage container (2) and at the same time promotes the supply of the sealed liquid in the storage container (2) to the dynamic and static rings in the intermediate seal cavity (3).
2. The aseptic lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sterile gas supply assembly (1) includes a hydrophobic assembly (11), and the hydrophobic assembly (11) is communicated with the double mechanical seal bearing chamber (3), so that after the steam sterilizes the storage container (2), a part of the steam is discharged through the double mechanical seal bearing chamber (3) and the hydrophobic assembly (11), and another part of the steam is stored in the storage container (2) to form a sealed liquid.
3. The aseptic lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor according to claim 2, wherein, The sterile gas supply assembly (1) further includes a first pipeline (12), and a pressure regulating valve (13), a filter (14), and a first valve (15) sequentially arranged on the first pipeline (12), so that compressed air enters through the gas input end of the first pipeline (12), forms sterile air and then enters the storage container (2) from the gas output end of the first pipeline (12), so as to maintain a positive pressure and sterility in the storage container (2) and at the same time control the supply of the sealed liquid to the dynamic and static rings in the intermediate seal cavity (3).
4. The aseptic lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor according to claim 3, wherein The sterile gas supply assembly (1) further includes a second pipeline (16), and a second valve (17) arranged on the second pipeline (16), the input end of the second pipeline (16) is communicated with steam, and the output end is communicated with an air inlet end of the storage container (2), so that steam enters the storage container (2) through the second pipeline (16) for sterilization.
5. The aseptic lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor according to claim 4, characterized in that, The hydrophobic assembly (11) includes a third pipeline (111), and a third valve (112) arranged on the third pipeline (111), the input end of the third pipeline (111) is communicated with the double mechanical seal bearing chamber (3), and the output end of the third pipeline (111) is connected to an external drain valve, so that a part of the steam flows to the drain valve after passing through the second pipeline (16), the storage container (2), the double mechanical seal bearing chamber (3), and the third pipeline (111) in sequence, and another part of the steam is stored in the storage container (2) to form a sealed liquid.
6. The aseptic lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor according to claim 5, wherein, The second valve (17) and the third valve (112) are opened simultaneously.
7. The aseptic lubricating sealant supply device for a bioreactor according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the first valve (15) is opened, the second valve (17) and the third valve (112) are closed.