Bioprocessing Installation Gas Bubble Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioprocessing installations face inaccuracies in monitoring liquid biological medium transfer due to gas bubbles and foam, leading to potential overfilling issues, particularly when density deviations occur, and rely on subjective optical monitoring which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating gas bubble sensors into the bioprocessing installation to detect gas content and foam, with an electronic control unit that can intervene by controlling fluid pumps and valves, ensuring precise and efficient transfer by generating sensor signals for real-time monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical monitoring by user is used to check filling quantity, then the system is simple, but the monitoring accuracy is low and may cause overfilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual optical monitoring system with an automated sensor-based detection system. Gas bubble sensors detect the presence of gas in the liquid medium, and this information is processed by a control unit to automatically control the filling process, eliminating the need for subjective visual inspection and significantly improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces gas bubble sensors as intermediary detection devices that indirectly monitor the filling process. Instead of directly measuring liquid level or volume, the system detects gas bubbles in the fluid line, which serves as a reliable indicator of filling status and prevents overfilling before it occurs.
2Reliability
If density deviations are not detected, then the filling process is fast, but overfilling occurs due to incorrect density assumptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where gas bubble sensors continuously monitor the liquid medium during filling. When gas bubbles are detected (indicating potential density deviations or foam), the control unit receives this feedback and automatically adjusts or stops the filling process, ensuring reliability without significantly impacting productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of gas bubbles before overfilling occurs. By detecting gas content in advance during the filling process, the system can take preventive action to adjust filling parameters or stop the process, avoiding the need for post-filling corrections and maintaining high productivity while ensuring reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If gas bubbles are not detected, then the filling process continues uninterrupted, but overfilling of receiving containers occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives real-time feedback from gas bubble sensors during the filling process. When gas bubbles are detected, the system immediately responds by adjusting or stopping the filling operation, ensuring precise filling control and preventing overfilling without causing unnecessary process delays.
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 solution prevents overfilling by accurately monitoring gas content, enhancing process reliability and efficiency through automated intervention based on sensor data, reducing the need for subjective monitoring and minimizing delays.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor arrangement (9) with at least one gas bubble sensor (10), which sensor arrangement (9) is configured to detect one or more gas bubbles, foam and/or separated phases in the liquid biological medium
Data Source
AI summary
A bioprocessing installation comprising a reservoir tank, one or more fluid lines, one or more receiving containers and an electronic control unit. The fluid line fluidically connects the reservoir tank to a receiving container. The liquid biological medium can be transferred from the reservoir tank through the fluid line into the at least one receiving container. The bioprocessing installation comprises a sensor arrangement with at least one gas bubble sensor, which sensor arrangement is configured to detect one or more gas bubbles or foam or separated phases in the liquid biological medium by a gas bubble sensor and to generate one or more corresponding sensor signals, and the electronic control unit is configured to monitor the transfer of the liquid biological medium from the reservoir tank in the direction of the at least one receiving container based on the sensor signals generated by the sensor arrangement.