Cooling system for injection water for CHO cell culture medium preparation

Abstract

The utility model discloses a cooling system for injection water for CHO cell culture medium preparation, and belongs to the technical field of biological pharmacy water treatment. In order to solve the problems of low cooling efficiency of injection water, inaccurate water temperature control, easy waste of water resources and the like in the prior art, the utility model mainly adopts a structure and a control mode of combining an injection water storage tank, a water outlet pipeline, a tubular heat exchanger, an intercepting sheet with an eccentric small hole, a temperature probe, an electromagnetic valve and an intelligent control system. And rapid cooling, flow rate regulation and control and accurate temperature control of the water for injection are realized. According to the utility model, the injection water can reach the set temperature before entering the culture medium preparation tank, and the stability of the CHO cell culture process and the water quality are guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of biopharmaceutical water treatment technology, specifically relating to a cooling system for preparing injection water for CHO cell culture medium. Background Technology

[0002] CHO cells (Chinese Hamster Ovary cells) are a cell line isolated from the ovarian tissue of Chinese hamsters, primarily used in biomedical research and biopharmaceutical fields. They can efficiently express recombinant proteins and are crucial tools for producing monoclonal antibodies, recombinant protein drugs, and vaccines. In CHO cell culture, precise control of the water temperature for injection during culture medium preparation is paramount. Distillation is currently the most classic and widely used method for preparing water for injection. Its principle is to utilize the vaporization and condensation of water to remove non-volatile impurities, microorganisms, and pyrogens during phase transition. Because the culture medium is a complex mixture containing various nutrients and growth factors, if the water temperature for injection is too high, subsequent refrigeration at 2-8℃ will cause thermal expansion and contraction of the water, as well as chemical reactions triggered by the high temperature. This can alter the solubility of some components, such as proteins and peptides, which are prone to aggregation and precipitation, compromising the stability of the culture medium and failing to create a suitable microenvironment for cell growth. Simultaneously, many bioactive components in the culture medium, such as vitamins, coenzymes, and enzymes, are extremely sensitive to temperature. High temperatures can cause the breakage of chemical bonds, damage to active groups, and enzyme denaturation and inactivation, preventing the normal activation of cellular metabolic pathways and hindering growth. Moreover, improper water temperature for injection can restrict the uptake of nutrients by CHO cells and make it difficult to excrete metabolic waste, ultimately leading to slow cell growth, decreased proliferation capacity, metabolic disorders, or even culture failure, wasting a large amount of resources invested in the early stage.

[0003] Currently, common methods for controlling the water temperature in culture medium preparation have many shortcomings. Traditional methods typically involve placing a temperature probe at the outlet; once the water for injection reaches the preset temperature, the inlet valve is opened, allowing water to flow into the culture medium preparation tank. If the temperature is not met, the water is directly discharged from the outlet. This method suffers from two problems: first, the temperature control accuracy is poor, failing to meet the high temperature precision requirements of CHO cell culture, and easily leading to problems such as unstable culture medium composition and inhibited cell growth due to even slight temperature deviations; second, a large amount of water for injection that fails to meet the temperature requirements is directly discarded, resulting in serious water waste and increased production costs. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cooling system for preparing injection water for CHO cell culture medium. By regulating the water flow through a baffle plate, precise temperature control can be achieved, improving the stability of the culture medium, ensuring good growth of CHO cells, and reducing water waste and production costs.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] A cooling system for preparing water for injection in CHO cell culture medium includes a water for injection storage tank, an outlet pipeline, a tubular heat exchanger, a baffle plate, a temperature probe, a drain pipe, an inlet pipe, a culture medium preparation tank, a solenoid valve, and an intelligent control system.

[0007] Among them, the water for injection storage tank is connected to the water outlet pipeline, the water outlet pipeline is connected to the tubular heat exchanger, the other end of the tubular heat exchanger is connected to the drain pipe, and the drain pipe is equipped with a temperature probe and a first throttling plate.

[0008] One end of the water inlet pipe is connected to the drain pipe, and the other end is connected to the culture medium preparation tank. The water inlet pipe is equipped with a solenoid valve and a second baffle plate.

[0009] The intelligent control system is electrically connected to the solenoid valve and temperature probe, and is used to control the opening and closing of the solenoid valve according to the temperature signal, thereby realizing the water flow guidance and regulation.

[0010] Preferably, the water for injection storage tank is made of 316L stainless steel.

[0011] Preferably, the water outlet pipe is made of 316L stainless steel, and the inner wall is treated with pickling and passivation.

[0012] Preferably, the tubular heat exchanger adopts a closed cooling chamber structure filled with coolant and is covered with heat insulation material.

[0013] Preferably, the first and second intercepting plates are both metal discs with eccentric holes, which are installed inside the drain pipe and the inlet pipe to regulate the water flow speed and enhance the turbulence.

[0014] Preferably, the temperature probe is located near the connection point of the drain pipe and inlet pipe, and is used to collect the outlet water temperature in real time and transmit the temperature signal to the intelligent control system.

[0015] Preferably, the solenoid valve is used to open after the temperature of the water for injection reaches a set value, so that qualified water flows into the culture medium preparation tank; otherwise, it is discharged through the drain pipe.

[0016] The beneficial effects achieved by this utility model are as follows:

[0017] 1. This utility model introduces a flow-blocking plate structure into the water for injection system to regulate the water flow velocity and flow rate, thereby extending the residence time of the water for injection in the tubular heat exchanger, significantly improving the cooling efficiency, and ensuring that the outlet water temperature quickly and stably reaches the set value.

[0018] 2. The flow interceptor used in this utility model adopts an eccentric small hole structure, which induces turbulence, generates vortices and enhances mixing in the fluid, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency between the water and the cooling medium and further enhancing the cooling effect;

[0019] 3. This invention stabilizes the water flow speed and pressure, avoiding impact on the culture medium preparation tank, ensuring uniform composition of the culture medium, and improving preparation quality and CHO cell culture stability;

[0020] 4. This utility model discharges substandard water for injection through a drain pipe before the temperature reaches the standard, and the intercepting plate promotes the water temperature to reach the standard faster, effectively reducing wastewater discharge, reducing water waste and operating costs;

[0021] 5. This utility model achieves real-time monitoring and automatic control of the temperature of water for injection by linking an intelligent control system with a temperature probe, ensuring that the water temperature is always maintained within the range suitable for the preparation of CHO cell culture medium, thereby improving the system's automation and temperature control accuracy.

[0022] 6. This utility model has a compact overall structure and a clear operation process, and can be widely applied to the management of water for injection in the CHO cell culture process of various biopharmaceutical companies, and has good prospects for industrial application. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cooling system of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the throttling plate of the cooling system of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 3 Bottom view of the throttling plate of the cooling system of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the various technical features, advantages, or effects of the present invention more apparent and understandable, detailed descriptions are provided below through embodiments.

[0027] This embodiment specifically discloses a cooling system for preparing injection water for CHO cell culture medium, the structure of which is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it includes a water for injection storage tank 1, an outlet pipe 2, a tubular heat exchanger 3, a flow cut-off plate 4, a temperature probe 5, a drain pipe 6, an inlet pipe 7, a culture medium preparation tank 8, a solenoid valve 9, and an intelligent control system 10.

[0028] The water-for-injection storage tank 1 is connected to the tubular heat exchanger 3 via the outlet pipe 2. The other end of the tubular heat exchanger 3 is connected to the drain pipe 6, which contains a temperature probe 5 and a flow cutter 4. The culture medium preparation tank 8 is connected to the drain pipe 6 via the inlet pipe 7, which contains a solenoid valve 9 and another flow cutter 4. The intelligent control system 10 is electrically connected to the solenoid valve 9.

[0029] The water for injection storage tank 1 is used to store water for injection and has the capacity to meet the water requirements in the preparation of CHO cell culture medium. The tank body is made of 316L stainless steel to ensure that the water is pure and uncontaminated, providing a reliable water source for subsequent precise temperature control and cell culture.

[0030] The outlet pipe 2 connects the water for injection storage tank 1 to the subsequent cooling module. The pipe is made of 316L stainless steel and has been pickled and passivated, which gives it a smooth inner wall and corrosion resistance, ensuring that the water flows smoothly and stably into the cooling process.

[0031] The tubular heat exchanger 3 is a key component for achieving rapid cooling in this system. It is filled with a high-efficiency coolant, such as an aqueous ethylene glycol solution. This coolant is contained within a closed cooling chamber surrounding the outlet water pipe 2, and it exchanges heat counter-currently with the injection water flowing through it. This rapid cooling is achieved through a significant temperature difference and heat conduction mechanism. The outer wall of the cooling chamber is covered with insulating material to prevent external heat from entering, ensuring that the coolant remains at a consistently high-efficiency, low-temperature state.

[0032] The flow cutter 4 is one of the core components of this system. It is made of high-strength stainless steel, and its structure is as follows: Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a circular plate with a diameter matching the pipe is present. The plate has a circular protrusion with a diameter of 11mm and a small hole with a diameter of 5±2mm in the center, offset by 8mm from the center of the plate. The diameter of the protrusion matches the inner diameter of the flange (not shown), allowing for stable embedding within the flange. When water flows through the flow-blocking plate 4, the pipe diameter instantly narrows, the flow velocity decreases, and a pressure drop is created downstream, thereby extending the residence time of water in the cooling section and effectively improving cooling efficiency. Simultaneously, this structure reduces the outlet water pressure, improving the stability of the preparation process.

[0033] Because the orifice is off-center, the water flows through it, generating asymmetric flow and subsequently creating significant turbulence downstream. This turbulence enhances radial mixing of the fluid, disrupts the laminar boundary layer, and improves the heat exchange efficiency between the injection water and the pipe wall and cooling medium. Furthermore, the eccentric orifice structure induces separation vortices and secondary flows, further extending the residence time of the water in the cooling zone and increasing the heat exchange surface area, thereby significantly enhancing the cooling effect.

[0034] Temperature probe 5 is positioned at a critical location in the heat exchange process (such as near the inlet pipe 7) to accurately monitor the outlet temperature of the water for injection in real time and transmit the detection signal to the intelligent control system 10. This system is pre-set with a target temperature range required for the preparation of CHO cell culture medium. If the temperature deviates from the target value, it automatically initiates adjustment measures to ensure the water temperature remains at a suitable level.

[0035] The drain pipe 6 is used to promptly discharge substandard water for injection during the initial system startup or when the outlet water temperature fails to meet the standard for an extended period. Compared to traditional systems, this system, by adding a baffle plate 4 to the drain pipe, can accelerate the initial cooling process, allowing the water temperature to reach the standard more quickly, significantly reducing the drainage volume and avoiding water waste.

[0036] The inlet pipe 7 is used to introduce the cooled water for injection into the culture medium preparation tank 8. The inlet pipe 7 is equipped with a baffle plate 4, which helps to stabilize the outlet water temperature and ensures that the water flows smoothly and without impact into the tank, preventing local concentration imbalances of components in the culture medium caused by impact, thereby ensuring the uniformity of the culture medium and the consistency of cell culture.

[0037] During system operation, the system first confirms that the liquid level in the water-for-injection storage tank 1 is within the preset safe range, ensuring a sufficient water supply. Then, the water-for-injection inlet procedure is initiated. The water-for-injection flows sequentially into the tubular heat exchanger 3 via the outlet pipe 2, where it undergoes counter-current heat exchange with the low-temperature coolant, rapidly reducing the water temperature through efficient heat conduction. The temperature probe 5 monitors the outlet water temperature in real time. If the temperature does not reach the preset standard, the system controls the water to be discharged directly through the drain pipe 6, preventing substandard water from entering the culture medium preparation process. When the water flows through the flow cutter 4, the flow rate is regulated, thereby extending the residence time in the cooling section, enhancing heat exchange efficiency, and accelerating the process of reaching the target water temperature. Simultaneously, the intelligent control system 10 automatically controls the opening of the solenoid valve 9, allowing the water-for-injection to flow steadily into the culture medium preparation tank 8 via the inlet pipe 7. During the water inlet process, the flow cutter 4, installed inside the inlet pipe, further stabilizes the water flow, preventing flow velocity impacts from affecting the uniformity of the culture medium components. Through the above process, rapid cooling, real-time monitoring and intelligent control of water for injection are achieved, ensuring that the water entering the culture medium preparation tank always meets the requirements of CHO cell culture process, and providing a stable and reliable water source for culture medium preparation.

[0038] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any appropriate modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solutions of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention, which is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A cooling system for preparing injection water for CHO cell culture medium, characterized in that, It includes a water for injection storage tank, outlet pipeline, tubular heat exchanger, baffle plate, temperature probe, drain pipe, inlet pipe, culture medium preparation tank, solenoid valve and intelligent control system; Among them, the water for injection storage tank is connected to the water outlet pipeline, the water outlet pipeline is connected to the tubular heat exchanger, the other end of the tubular heat exchanger is connected to the drain pipe, and the drain pipe is equipped with a temperature probe and a first throttling plate. One end of the water inlet pipe is connected to the drain pipe, and the other end is connected to the culture medium preparation tank. The water inlet pipe is equipped with a solenoid valve and a second baffle plate. The intelligent control system is electrically connected to the solenoid valve and temperature probe, and is used to control the opening and closing of the solenoid valve according to the temperature signal, thereby realizing the water flow guidance and regulation.

2. The cooling system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water for injection storage tank is made of 316L stainless steel.

3. The cooling system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water outlet pipe is made of 316L stainless steel, and the inner wall has been pickled and passivated.

4. The cooling system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The tubular heat exchanger adopts a closed cooling chamber structure filled with coolant and is covered with heat insulation material.

5. The cooling system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first and second flow-blocking plates are metal discs with eccentric holes, which are installed inside the drain pipe and the inlet pipe to regulate the water flow speed and enhance the turbulence.

6. The cooling system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The temperature probe is installed near the connection point of the drain pipe and inlet pipe to collect the outlet water temperature in real time and transmit the temperature signal to the intelligent control system.

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