Apparatus for measuring properties of a fluid of a reactor

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for measuring properties of a fluid of a reactor, in particular of a bioreactor. In order to be able to measure properties of fluids from different reactors using a single apparatus, the apparatus (1) comprises a first supply point (3) for supplying the fluid to the reactor and at least one measuring device for measuring at least one property of the fluid, and is designed to be movable.

Description

[0001] Device for detecting properties of a fluid in a reactor

[0002] The invention relates to a device for detecting properties of a fluid in a reactor.

[0003] When operating reactors, particularly in the biochemical sector, it is necessary to record operating parameters and properties of the fluid in the reactor during operation. For this purpose, numerous inlets for sensors, measuring probes, and other devices for recording measurement data are usually located at the reactor head. As a result, the reactor head is often heavily constructed and access is limited.

[0004] The latter is particularly true for scale-ups, which are typically undertaken when a new approach is scaled up from laboratory scale to a large-scale facility. This typically involves multiple reactors with increasing volumes, allowing a reaction to be increased step by step to its final volume. Ideally, all of the final required measurement data should be achievable in all reactor sizes. However, smaller reactors offer less space at the top to accommodate many probes, sensors, or other equipment. Another disadvantage is that, regardless of the space required, the reactors are correspondingly complex to design.

[0005] This is where the invention comes in. The object of the invention is to further develop a device of the type mentioned above in such a way that the properties of a reactor fluid can be measured with reduced installation effort at the reactor and in a flexible manner.

[0006] This object is achieved if a device of the type mentioned at the outset comprises a first connection for supplying the fluid to the reactor and at least one measuring device for detecting at least one property of the fluid and is designed to be movable.

[0007] A device according to the invention offers the advantage that, in particular, measuring instruments for recording fluid properties no longer need to be arranged at the reactor, but rather the corresponding properties can be recorded using the device. Since the device can be moved simultaneously, it offers a high degree of flexibility. If multiple reactors are provided, the device can be moved to each individual reactor and used there to record measurement data for recording fluid properties.

[0008] The properties of the fluid can be any properties of the fluid that are relevant to a reaction, especially a biochemical reaction. For example, they can be temperature, oxygen content, pH value, concentrations of certain components, gas content, etc. The device is therefore a measuring device. The device can be used to measure fluid properties during continuous operation of a reactor.

[0009] To supply the fluid to the device, a first connection for the fluid is provided. This first connection can be coupled to a supply line from the reactor. After the fluid has passed through the device, the fluid is preferably returned to the reactor. For this purpose, the device comprises a second connection for returning the fluid to the reactor.

[0010] The device can be configured to be connected to multiple reactors simultaneously, particularly when the same process is involved in the reactors. For this purpose, the device can be designed with multiple connections for supplying the fluids from the individual reactors. Alternatively, it is also possible for fluid supply lines from multiple reactors to be connected together and fed to the device via a single connection. Optionally, multiple second connections can be provided for returning the fluid to the individual reactors. However, the returned fluid can also be split after passing through a single second connection of the device.

[0011] It is also possible, if the same process is carried out in the reactors, to feed the recirculating fluid to only one reactor.

[0012] The device can contain a cleaning circuit. Fluid lines can be cleaned via the cleaning circuit, so that, with sufficient time for intermediate cleaning, the device can be used for reactors containing different products in immediate succession, apart from the intermediate cleaning. The cleaning time depends on which products from one or more reactors are being examined. For example, a simple, relatively quick rinse may be sufficient. In other cases, steam sterilization is required. The device therefore advantageously includes a sterilization unit with which lines of the device can be sterilized.

[0013] Furthermore, the device preferably comprises a bypass so that the fluid, usually a product to be examined from a reactor, can pass through the device and in particular the measuring devices with the exception of the bypass if necessary. This may be necessary, for example, if certain shear forces are to be set for the inflow. The bypass can be time-controlled. The device can therefore advantageously also have an actuating device with which a bypass can be activated. A control and / or regulating device can be provided for the actuating device for switching the bypass, with which control and / or regulating device can be switched according to a predetermined pattern, in particular time-dependent. It is also possible for the control and / or regulating device to switch the bypass depending on at least one measuring parameter which is obtained via the at least one measuring device.

[0014] Advantageously, at least one measuring device is set up to analyse an exhaust gas.

[0015] For easy mobility, it is expedient for the device to include a movable frame on the base, along which the device can be moved. The frame can be designed with a horizontal plane on which further assembly of the device takes place. This can be a frame structure or, if necessary, a full-surface structure. Wheels or rollers are advantageously provided on the base. These rolling elements can be lockable, at least partially, with a parking brake. This ensures that the device remains stable in position while recording measurement data.

[0016] Preferably, the device comprises a plurality of sensors for detecting properties of the fluid. These may, for example, be sensors for detecting a temperature, a pH value, a concentration of certain components, or the like. Any sensor with which a property of a fluid can be determined may be provided. Here, at least some of the measuring devices may have chambers configured to detect a property of the fluid.

[0017] The measuring devices are fluidly connected to the first connection for supplying the fluid, whereby the supply of fluid to a specific measuring device can be controlled. For this purpose, switchable valves can be provided, in particular, which are arranged in the fluid transport path and configured to release the fluid supply to a measuring device. This makes it possible to measure individual measurement parameters as needed without all measuring devices being supplied with fluid simultaneously.

[0018] In measuring devices in which a reagent is added, for example for optical measuring methods, the outlets from chambers of such measuring devices are designed in such a way that the fluid is no longer fed into the reactor in order to avoid contamination.

[0019] The device can, in particular, have parallel transport paths. The multiple transport paths result from splitting a fluid line into sections. Sensors can be provided on one section, and chambers for measurements with reagents can be provided on another section. Typically, two parallel sections are provided for this purpose. The transport paths advantageously converge again after the sensors and chambers have been arranged.

[0020] The device can further comprise a pump with which the fluid from the reactor can be sucked in and pumped along a transport path, in particular in a circuit, through the device. The circulation pump allows the fluid to be transported through the device without further aids. External pumps can then be dispensed with. It is preferred that the sucked-in fluid is pumped in a circuit and thus fed back into the reactor after measurements have been carried out. For measurements, the circulated volumes are generally rather small, but returning it to the reactor has the advantage that no volume has to be discharged into a channel. A pump, in particular a circulation pump, also has the advantage that it can not only transport fluid for measurements, but also make it possible to circulate larger volumes of the reactor through the device and subject them to certain operations.For this purpose, the device has, in particular, gas inlets, for example, for oxygen or CO2. The device can also have a steam connection and distributor. It is then possible to transport the fluid through the device over a longer period of time and, for example, to apply oxygen or steam to it to achieve specific reactions. For example, steam application can be provided to inactivate an enzyme.

[0021] The device advantageously includes one or more flow meters. This allows the volumes of individual reactors to be balanced.

[0022] The device can also comprise a heating / cooling circuit, and a fluid transport path can be equipped with valves so that the fluid can be selectively directed through the heating / cooling circuit for heat exchange. The heating / cooling circuit allows the fluid to be heated or cooled as needed. For this purpose, suitable valves are provided along a transport path so that the fluid can be selectively directed through the heating / cooling circuit.

[0023] The device advantageously further comprises a pressure generating device with which a predetermined pressure can be set in a line of the device. This also applies to containers of the device. A suitable pressure generating means, such as a compressor or a pressurized gas, can be provided for pressure generation. The pressure generating device additionally comprises valves positioned such that pressure can be generated in a portion of a line and / or in a container. The generated pressure is preferably above ambient pressure.

[0024] Furthermore, the device advantageously comprises a water sterilization device. This water sterilization device can produce sterile water, which can be used to clean pipes and / or containers.

[0025] The device further advantageously comprises a gas line connectable to a reactor as well as a gas reservoir and / or an air intake, so that when a tank is emptied, air, optionally sterilized air, or another gas can be fed into the tank via the gas line in order to prevent a vacuum.

[0026] The device can further comprise a cleaning tank. The transport paths and the valves can be designed and positioned such that the cleaning tank allows cleaning of the device when the valves are switched accordingly. It is also possible that, by switching the valves appropriately, the cleaning fluid can be fed into the reactor to clean it. The cleaning tank is thus part of a circuit used to clean the device, but also of a circuit used to clean the reactor. The corresponding circuits are activated by switching the valves appropriately.

[0027] For external analysis independent of the device, the device may include an outlet for sampling.

[0028] The device is advantageously designed to determine a kLa value of a product in a reactor.

[0029] The measurement data acquired by the device can be transmitted wirelessly, for example, to suitable data processing systems. However, it is preferred that the device include a module for acquiring and processing measurement data, allowing on-site data analysis.

[0030] To control the individual components of the device, it includes a suitable controller, such as a PLC. This controller can, in particular, automatically switch valves in the transport path(s) so that the desired measurements are performed in at least one measuring device and the one or more measuring devices are suitably supplied with fluid for this purpose.

[0031] The device is ergonomically designed and provides a protected operator station. The device preferably includes an industrial control system for manual, semi-automatic, or even automatic control of the fluid supply and discharge, as well as for performing measurements. In this context, neural networks can also be used as artificial intelligence for process optimization.

[0032] The device preferably has a desk at the head end. This desk serves as a work surface for the operating personnel.

[0033] The device not only allows in-line measurements, but also the independent operation of a reactor. One or more reagents can be fed into the reactor via in-line dosing. This allows a reaction to be carried out via the device. As a result, even simple tanks can be combined with the device to form a reactor system. The reactor system can be operated in batch mode, fed-batch mode, or continuously. In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the device has a filter system in order to be able to supply liquids and gases with the required purity. For this purpose, the device according to the invention can be combined with tanks of various sizes to form a reactor system. Accordingly, a further aspect of the invention lies in the use of a device according to the invention in combination with a tank for carrying out a reaction.For this purpose, the tank expediently has at least one opening for a fluid inlet and one opening for a fluid outlet. The device can be viewed as an external operating system that, in a bypass to one or more reactors or tanks, controls and / or regulates operation while simultaneously enabling data acquisition and evaluation.

[0034] Yet another aspect of the invention consists in a method for carrying out a reaction in a container, comprising the following steps: a) connecting a device according to the invention to at least one reactor or at least one tank in order to establish a fluid connection between a fluid in the reactor or tank and the device; b) at least temporarily guiding the fluid from the reactor or tank into the device; c) measuring properties of the fluid guided through the device; d) optionally controlling and / or regulating a process in the reactor by adding reagents to the fluid transported through the device. In a further optional step e), the fluid can be returned to the reactor or tank.

[0035] A method according to the invention makes it possible to easily convert a reactor, or especially a tank, into a reactor system. In particular, tanks that serve no further functions beyond storing a fluid can thus be easily converted into a reactor system (together with the device according to the invention) as needed. After the reaction has ended, the device can be closed again.

[0036] Since the device according to the invention is designed to control and / or regulate processes, and reagents can also be introduced into a fluid conveyed through the device along a transport path via in-line dosing devices of the device, a process in the reactor can be controlled via the device. Furthermore, the collected measurement data can also be used to immediately monitor the reaction progress.

[0037] Further features, advantages, and effects of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiment. The drawings, to which reference is made, show:

[0038] Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 show a device according to the invention in different views;

[0039] Fig. 4 is a highly schematic representation of transport paths of a fluid in a device according to the invention.

[0040] 1 to 3 show a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 comprises a base frame 2. The frame 2 comprises a frame which defines a horizontal plane and supports the other components of the device 1. At the corners of the frame there are four rollers with which the frame 2 and thus the device 1 as a whole can be moved. A parking brake is provided for at least some of the rollers so that the rollers can be locked and thus the device 1 as a whole can be fixed in position. Above the frame 2 there are individual components of the device 1 which are intended for conducting a fluid from a reactor R and for carrying out measurements on the fluid. For this purpose the device 1 has a first connection 3 to which a line leading from the reactor R can be connected.Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a circulation pump 9 downstream of the first connection 3, with which the fluid is sucked in from a reactor R and subsequently transported through the device 1. As can be seen in particular from Fig. 1, the fluid can then be guided via various transport paths 11, depending on the type of measurement intended. Here, as in the following, suitable valves are provided with which the desired transport path can be selected. This is done via a PLC control system housed in a control cabinet 6, which can be seen in particular in Fig. 3. The fluid can, for example, be guided along the lower transport path 11, on which a plurality of sensors 5, for example temperature sensors or pH sensors, are located.The alternative transport path 11 located above contains supply lines for dosing various chemical substances, such as acids or bases. For this purpose, a liquid container 7 is provided in the device 1, in which the various liquids are stored. The individual substrate supply lines each have a small-sized pump to feed the respective liquid to be supplied into the transport path 11 and thus to the fluid. The device 1 is thus also suitable for implementing / ns / tu reactions.

[0041] The transport paths 11 converge again after the sections for the sensors 5 and the dosing of liquids. A second connection 4 follows along a switchable path or circuit 12, through which the fluid can be returned to the reactor R. Thus, no fluid is lost. However, a sampling point is also provided, which can be switched on as needed, so that fluid can be withdrawn from the device 1 for external testing. This also applies when certain reactions are being carried out. Several product valves 13 are provided for this purpose.

[0042] The device 1 further comprises a cleaning tank 8 and a steam outlet and distributor 10. Cleaning fluid is located in the cleaning tank 8. The cleaning tank 8 is connected in such a way that the individual transport paths 11 and the devices of the device 1 can be cleaned with cleaning fluid. Furthermore, the cleaning tank 8 can be circulated with valves so that cleaning fluid can be fed from the cleaning tank 8 into the reactor R. The device 1 then also allows a reactor R to be cleaned. The steam outlet and distributor 10 is provided to introduce steam into the device 1, for example, to inactivate an enzyme.

[0043] At the head end, the device 1 has a desk 15 for carrying out an evaluation, for example with a laptop.

[0044] In Fig. 4, the circuits 12 of a device 1 according to the invention are shown in a highly schematic manner. It can be seen that a fluid from a reactor R can be guided in a circuit 12. The fluid can pass through sensors 5; furthermore, certain liquids can be metered in along a transport path 11. In Fig. 4, only one sensor 5 and only one metering device are shown for reasons of clarity. Typically, a plurality of sensors 5 and a plurality of metering devices are provided. Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a heating / cooling device 14 and valves which can be switched so that the fluid can be guided through the heating / cooling device 14 as needed. The corresponding heat exchange makes it possible to either heat or cool the fluid.Furthermore, valves are provided that allow cleaning fluid to be directed from the cleaning tank 8 so that the device 1 can be cleaned; alternatively, a circuit 12 can also be designed so that the reactor R is cleaned.

[0045] The device 1 according to the invention allows, in particular, the acquisition of measurement data for recording properties of a fluid, for example temperature, pH value, CO2 concentration, O2 concentration, viscosity, etc. Due to the provided first connection 3 and the second connection 4 and the other components of the device 1 such as the cleaning tank 8, steam outlet and distributor 10 and / or heating / cooling device 14, it is also possible to allow the entire volume of a reactor R to run through the device 1 over a longer period of time and, in the process, to heat the fluid, cool it, apply steam to it, add a reagent to it, or treat it in another way. The device 1 according to the invention thus offers a dual function, namely the acquisition of measurement data with relatively small volumes of a fluid, but also the circulation and treatment of larger reactor volumes.

[0046] A device 1 according to the invention offers, among other things, the following advantages: - Any suitable tank can be converted into a bioreactor or chemical reactor;

[0047] - the device 1 can be used for different container sizes, for example from 100 L to 5000 L;

[0048] - the device offers a complete set of instruments, which often have difficulty finding space in containers;

[0049] - the device 1 can be moved to a reactor;

[0050] - the device 1 is compact and space-saving;

[0051] - the device 1 is cost-effective and universally applicable.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for detecting properties of a fluid of a reactor (R), in particular a bioreactor, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a first connection (3) for supplying the fluid of the reactor (R) and at least one measuring device for detecting at least one property of the fluid and is designed to be movable.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a second connection (4) for returning the fluid to the reactor (R).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a movable frame (2) on the bottom side, by means of which the device (1) can be moved.

4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a plurality of sensors (5) for detecting properties of the fluid.

5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a pump (9) with which the fluid of the reactor (R) can be sucked in and pumped along a transport path (11), in particular in a circuit (12), through the device (1).

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a heating / cooling circuit (14) and a transport path (11) for the fluid is equipped with valves so that the fluid can be selectively guided through the heating / cooling circuit (14) for heat exchange.

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a steam connection and distributor (10).

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a cleaning tank (8).

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the device (1) comprises an outlet for sampling.

10. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a module for recording and processing measurement data.

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the device (1) has a bypass so that the fluid can pass through the device (1) and in particular the measuring devices, with the exception of the bypass, if necessary.

12. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the device (1) has an actuating device with which a bypass can be activated.

13. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the device (1) has a controller, for example a PLC controller, which is designed to automatically switch valves in the transport path (11) to carry out at least one measurement in a measuring device.

14. A method for carrying out a reaction in a container, comprising the following steps: a) connecting a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13 to at least one reactor (R) or at least one tank in order to establish a fluid connection between a fluid in the reactor (R) or tank and the device (1); b) at least temporarily guiding the fluid from the reactor or tank into the device (1); c) measuring properties of the fluid guided through the device (1); d) optionally controlling and / or regulating a process in the reactor or tank by supplying reagents to the fluid transported through the device (1).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that e) the fluid is returned from the device (1) to the reactor or tank.

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