Bioreactor Exhaust Filter Ribs for Moisture Condensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bioreactor gas exhaust filters face blockages due to moisture condensation, which is exacerbated by the complexity and cost of using liquid-cooled condensers, particularly in small to medium-scale disposable bioreactors.

Innovation Solution

A gas exhaust filter device with a single-walled housing and integral ribs that facilitate moisture condensation and drainage by gravity, eliminating the need for liquid-cooled condensers, and featuring a hydrophobic filter medium and pleated design to enhance condensation and prevent blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a water-cooled condenser is placed in the exhaust line before the filter, then moisture condensation is reduced and filter blockage is prevented, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to double-walled vessels or internal tubing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter blockage preventionVSAvoidcondenser structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the condensation function from a complex water-cooled condenser system and implements it directly on the filter housing surface. The ribs on the housing serve as condensation surfaces, allowing moisture to condense and drain away from the filter medium without requiring internal tubing or double-walled vessels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ribs on the housing act as an intermediary surface for condensation. Instead of using a complex condenser system, the ribs provide a simple surface where moisture can condense and drain, mediating between the warm moist exhaust gas and the filter medium to prevent blockage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a water-cooled condenser with tubing is used, then moisture condensation is controlled, but ease of operation deteriorates due to leakage risks and assembly complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture condensation controlVSAvoidassembly and operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is self-service in that the housing ribs automatically condense and drain moisture without requiring external water supply lines or complex assembly. The condensation occurs naturally on the ribs and drains away from the filter medium through gravity, eliminating the need for operator intervention in water line management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a water-cooled condenser is used in disposable bioreactors, then filter blockage is prevented, but manufacturing cost increases due to complex double-walled vessel construction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter blockage preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a disposable filter device where the housing with integrated ribs serves as a single-use component. This eliminates the need for expensive, complex water-cooled condensers that would be difficult to manufacture at low cost for disposable applications. The ribs are molded directly into the housing, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the condensation function directly into the filter housing by adding ribs to the housing structure. This combines what would otherwise be separate components (housing and condensation system) into a single integrated unit, simplifying manufacturing and reducing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 filter blockages without liquid-cooled condensers, simplifies manufacturing and installation, and reduces operational complexity and costs, ensuring reliable cell cultivation.

Implementation Method 1

Since the exhaust gas stream is warm and saturated with moisture, there is a significant risk that the moisture condenses on the filter medium, causing a blockage of the gas flow through the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

Any moisture is then condensed and the condensate can flow back to the bioreactor by gravity flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity flow: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

the filter medium can typically be a 0.1-0.2 micron hydrophobic microfiltration membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic membrane filtration: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS9795909B2Gas exhaust filter device for a bioreactor

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 CYTIVA SWEDEN AB

AI summary

A gas exhaust filter device for a bioreactor with reduced blockage by condensed liquid is disclosed, which comprises a housing with a filter medium, a gas inlet and a gas outlet and also further comprises a plurality of ribs extending from at least one inner wall of the housing in a region between the gas inlet and the filter medium.