Adjustable Baffle Probe for Fermentation Reactor Flow Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement devices for the state of a solution in reactors, such as those used in E. coli fermentation, experience measurement deviations due to excessive flow rates and the presence of bubbles, which disrupt the uniform measurement of the solution's state.
Innovation Solution
A device with a probe and a baffle system is introduced, where the baffle is mounted around the probe via a support part and a link mechanism, allowing the baffle to be adjusted between a folded and unfolded position. This configuration stabilizes the flow of the solution around and inside the probe, reducing flow rates and minimizing measurement deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a stirring device operates to stir the culture medium and supply oxygen, then oxygen supply and mixing are improved, but bubbles are generated and flow rate increases excessively causing measurement deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the reactor space by installing a baffle around the probe, creating a measurement zone isolated from the stirred zone. This allows the stirring device to operate freely for oxygen supply while preventing bubbles and excessive flow from reaching the measurement area, thus resolving the contradiction between mixing efficiency and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle acts as an intermediary element between the stirring device and the probe. It blocks the direct path of bubbles and high-velocity flow from the stirred culture medium to the measurement zone, allowing both the stirring function and accurate measurement to coexist without interfering with each other
2Speed
If the flow rate inside the measuring unit increases due to stirring, then oxygen supply is improved, but flow deviation occurs causing measurement inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts the measurement zone from the high-velocity flow environment by surrounding the probe with a baffle. This creates a separate zone where flow rate is reduced and stabilized, allowing accurate measurements while the rest of the reactor maintains high flow rates for adequate oxygen supply
3Quantity of substance
If bubbles exist in the measuring unit, then oxygen supply is improved, but measurement uniformity is disrupted causing deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The baffle segments the reactor into a bubbly stirred zone and a bubble-free measurement zone. Bubbles generated by the stirring device remain confined to the stirred zone and are prevented from entering the measurement zone, allowing high oxygen concentration in the bulk while maintaining measurement uniformity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The baffle system effectively reduces measurement deviations by stabilizing the flow of the solution, allowing for more accurate measurements of the solution's state. Additionally, the adjustable baffle design enables easy installation and operation within reactors without increasing the size of the mounting hole, and it allows for control of the solution's flow over a wide area.
Implementation Method 1
the baffle is configured to surround at least a portion of a periphery of the measuring unit and prevent a flow of the solution around the measuring unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed is a device for measuring a state of a solution. The device for measuring a state of a solution includes: a probe having a measuring unit having at least one surface open to measure characteristics of the solution; a support part fixed to an outer circumferential surface of the probe; and a baffle configured to be mounted on the support part and surround at least a portion of a periphery of the measuring unit and prevent a flow of the solution around the measuring unit, in which the baffle is mounted on the support part via a link mechanism, and a distance between the probe and the baffle is adjustable by the link mechanism.