Balanced Mixotrophy Bioreactor Gas Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air sparging and carbon dioxide injection methods for culturing mixotrophic microorganisms lead to gas imbalances, resulting in gas loss, foam accumulation, and contamination, which reduces efficiency and increases costs, as they require external gas supply and create an environment inhibiting microbial growth.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor system that continuously balances gas composition by using sensors to detect pH and dissolved oxygen levels, adjusting light and organic carbon supply through a programmable logic control system to maintain predetermined thresholds, thereby optimizing gas exchange and reducing foam formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional air sparging and carbon dioxide injection are used in mixotrophic culture, then gas supply is provided to the bioreactor, but gas imbalance occurs leading to gas loss and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the culture medium and automatically adjusts the air sparging and carbon dioxide injection rates to maintain optimal gas balance. This feedback control prevents gas imbalance and ensures efficient gas utilization by the mixotrophic microorganisms throughout the culture process.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas injection rates are made dynamic rather than static, allowing the system to adapt gas supply in real-time based on the changing metabolic needs of the microorganisms. The system transitions from fixed gas flow rates to variable rates that respond to cultural conditions, optimizing gas delivery throughout different growth phases.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional air sparging is used, then gas exchange occurs, but foam accumulates facilitating contamination and blocking light
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful foam accumulation into a beneficial indicator. By monitoring foam formation, the system detects when gas injection exceeds microbial utilization capacity and automatically reduces gas flow accordingly. The foam serves as a visual and measurable signal to optimize gas delivery and prevent contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
Foam acts as an intermediary indicator between gas injection and microbial gas utilization. The presence and extent of foam provide real-time information about the balance between gas supply and consumption, allowing the control system to adjust operations and prevent harmful effects while maintaining efficient gas exchange.
3Quantity of substance
If external gas sources are supplied to bioreactors, then gas requirements are met, but additional gas injection points and infrastructure are required increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The gas injection system is designed to serve multiple functions: providing carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, supplying oxygen for respiration, and enabling pH control through carbonation. By consolidating these functions into a unified gas delivery system with centralized control, the patent reduces the need for separate injection points and infrastructure while meeting all gas requirements of the mixotrophic culture.
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
This approach enhances the efficiency of gas and organic carbon utilization, reduces external gas requirements, minimizes foam and contamination, and improves microbial growth rates, leading to cost savings and improved culture health.
Implementation Method 1
When light is utilized as an energy source and inorganic carbon (e.g., carbon dioxide) is utilized as a carbon source by the phototrophic metabolism for growth, the microorganism's net oxygen production is positive and carbon dioxide is consumed.
Implementation Method 2
When an organic carbon source is utilized as both an energy source and a carbon source by the heterotrophic metabolism for growth, the microorganism's net carbon dioxide production is positive and oxygen is consumed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of culturing mixotrophic microorganisms in a state of balanced gas composition are disclosed. Parameters of a culture of mixotrophic microorganisms may be controlled to reduce the requirements of externally supplied gases and optimize the production and consumption of gases within the culture by the phototrophic and heterotrophic metabolisms of the mixotrophic microorganisms.