Removable Bioreactor Guide Elements for Biofilm Cleaning and Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closed system bioreactors face challenges in efficiently removing biofilm from internal surfaces and require space-saving designs while maintaining precise control over photosynthesis-relevant factors for efficient cultivation of photoautotrophic organisms.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor design featuring removable guide elements that define flow chambers within the tank, allowing for easy cleaning and modular assembly, combined with light-permeable materials for illumination and pressurized gas circulation to enhance mixing and CO2 absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bioreactor uses a closed system design with fixed internal structures, then control over photosynthesis factors is improved, but cleaning efficiency deteriorates due to difficult access to internal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The bioreactor internal structure is divided into separate, removable guide elements that can be detached from the tank. These segmented components define the flow chambers but can be easily removed for cleaning, solving the contradiction between maintaining a closed controlled system and enabling efficient cleaning access.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements are designed to be movable and removable rather than fixed permanently. This dynamic design allows the structure to transition between operational mode (where it provides controlled flow paths) and cleaning mode (where it can be removed for access), resolving the contradiction between structural stability and cleaning accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the bioreactor uses multiple separate components for flow chambers, then cleaning ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements serve multiple functions: they define flow chamber boundaries, create waveform patterns for mixing, and can be removed for cleaning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, maintaining simplicity while enabling easy cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional features are merged into the single guide element structure. The waveguide shape, flow chamber definition, and removal capability are integrated into one component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining cleaning accessibility.
3Volume of moving object
If the bioreactor uses a compact design with fewer guide elements, then space utilization is improved, but flow chamber definition precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide elements feature localized waveform structures at specific positions along their length. These localized waveguide features precisely define flow chamber geometry and create effective mixing zones without requiring additional components, achieving precise flow control in a compact design.
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
Facilitates efficient removal of biofilm, enables compact and efficient cultivation of photoautotrophic organisms with precise control over light and CO2 distribution, and promotes effective mixing and illumination.
Implementation Method 1
the guide elements are configured such that first and second fluid flow paths for the growth medium are respectively defined in a vertical direction through the first and second fluid flow chambers, each of the first and second fluid flow paths having a shape or contour in the vertical direction selected from the group consisting of a meandering shape, a zigzag shape, a waveform shape, an undulating shape or a sinusoidal shape
Implementation Method 2
pressurized gas circulation to enhance mixing and CO2 absorption
Implementation Method 3
light-permeable materials for illumination
Implementation Method 4
pressurized gas circulation to enhance mixing and CO2 absorption
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A bioreactor (1) comprising a tank (10) adapted to contain a growth medium (12), and a plurality of guide elements mounted within the tank and comprising at least a first guide element (20), a second guide element (22), and a third guide element (24), wherein the guide elements (20, 22, 24) are provided within the tank (10) such that the guide elements (20, 22, 24) are at least partially immersed in the growth medium (12) when the tank (10) contains the growth medium (12), a first flow chamber (26) and a second flow chamber (28) are defined between the first, the second and the third guide elements and first and second flow paths (30, 32) of the growth medium (12) in a vertical direction (Y) through the respective first and second flow chambers (26, 28) have a waveform shape, a meandering shape, a zigzag shape, an undulating shape or a sinusoidal shape, the guide elements (20, 22, 24) are removably mounted within the tank (10) and are configured to be separable from each other at least when removed from the tank (10).