Bioreactor Biomass Growth via Segmented Ionizing Radiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for stimulating biomass growth in bioreactors are limited in their ability to effectively treat larger volumes of biomass homogeneously, often relying on high-energy radiation or being specific to certain types of microorganisms.

Innovation Solution

The method involves exposing only a small partial volume of the liquid in the bioreactor to low-energy ionizing radiation, such as electrons or X-rays, and repeatedly mixing this irradiated volume with unirradiated portions, ensuring a homogeneous total dose is applied to the entire biomass.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If high-energy radiation is used to stimulate biomass growth in large bioreactors, then the treatment volume can be larger, but the homogeneity of radiation dose distribution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebioreactor volumeVSAvoidradiation dose homogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bioreactor volume is divided into multiple irradiation zones or segments that are treated separately with low-energy radiation. Each segment receives a controlled, homogeneous dose, and the segments are combined to achieve uniform treatment across the entire large volume, resolving the contradiction between large volume treatment and dose homogeneity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying uniform high-energy radiation throughout the entire bioreactor volume, the invention applies low-energy radiation locally to specific regions or layers. This localized approach ensures homogeneous dose distribution in each treated region while allowing the overall system to handle large volumes through multiple passes or zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If low-energy ionizing radiation is applied to stimulate biomass growth, then growth stimulation effectiveness improves, but the treatment volume is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiomass growth rateVSAvoidtreatable volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The biomass suspension is pre-cooled or pre-conditioned before irradiation to enhance the effectiveness of low-energy radiation. This preliminary preparation allows the low-energy radiation to be more effective at stimulating growth, compensating for the limited penetration depth and enabling treatment of larger volumes through multiple passes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The irradiation process is made continuous by circulating the biomass suspension through the irradiation zone repeatedly. This continuous circulation allows low-energy radiation to treat large volumes over time while maintaining homogeneous dose distribution, as each portion of the biomass receives multiple controlled exposures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If ionizing radiation is used to stimulate biomass growth, then growth stimulation is achieved, but harmful effects on the biomass may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiomass growth rateVSAvoidradiation damage to biomass

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the key parameter of radiation energy from high to low, and controls the dose parameters to remain below harmful thresholds. By using low-energy ionizing radiation with controlled dosage, the system achieves growth stimulation while avoiding the harmful effects associated with high-energy radiation, such as DNA damage or cell death.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for the homogeneous stimulation of biomass growth in larger volumes within bioreactors, optimizing growth by controlling the radiation dose and ensuring all biomass particles receive a consistent treatment, even in large-scale bioreactors.

Implementation Method 1

exposing only a small partial volume of the liquid in the bioreactor to low-energy ionizing radiation, such as electrons or X-rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonizing radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

ionizing radiation, administered in very low doses, has a so-called biopositive effect on viruses, bacteria, fungi and algae

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation hormesis:

Implementation Method 3

repeatedly mixing this irradiated volume with unirradiated portions, ensuring a homogeneous total dose is applied to the entire biomass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing:

Data Source

PatentUS12291705B2Method for stimulating the growth of a biomass, contained in a liquid, inside a bioreactor

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

A method may be provided for stimulating the growth of a biomass, which is mixed with a liquid inside a bioreactor, by means of ionising radiation. The following method steps are used: a) exposing a first partial volume of the liquid in the bioreactor to ionising radiation, the first partial volume comprising at most 10% of the liquid volume in the bioreactor; b) mixing the first partial liquid volume, which has been exposed to ionising radiation, with the second partial liquid volume, which has not been exposed to ionising radiation, in the bioreactor; c) repeating method steps a) and b) multiple times, each partial volume of the liquid in the bioreactor being exposed to a total radiation dose of at most 50 Gy on statistical average.