Bioreactor Probe Angle Adjustment to Reduce Bubble Entrapment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioreactors face challenges with fixed sensing probe support bars that restrict movement and lead to bubble entrapment, resulting in inaccurate measurements and inconsistent yield across batches due to the inability to maintain uniform process parameters.
Innovation Solution
A system with an angle adjustable probe support bar assembly that allows for the sensing probes to be mounted on a movable support bar, enabling adjustment of their angle within the bioreactor chamber, and an inclined face port design to minimize bubble entrapment and facilitate deeper insertion of probes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensing probes are mounted on a fixed support bar, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the probe angle cannot be adjusted leading to bubble entrapment and measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The support bar is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned at different angles and locations within the bioreactor. This dynamic positioning capability enables optimization of probe angles to prevent bubble entrapment while maintaining measurement accuracy, resolving the contradiction between simple fixed structure and precise adjustable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the angular and positional parameters of the support bar and sensing probes. By adjusting these parameters, the probe orientation can be optimized to minimize bubble accumulation on the sensing surface, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring a completely complex new structure.
2Productivity
If sensing probes are mounted at fixed locations, then the mounting process is simple, but bubble entrapment occurs leading to inconsistent yield across batches
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support bar allows the sensing probes to be repositioned to optimal locations and angles that prevent bubble entrapment. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures consistent measurement quality across batches, improving productivity and yield consistency while the ease of operation is maintained through simple mounting mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the minimum working volume is increased to maintain safe distance from impeller, then probe collision risk is reduced, but the bioreactor size and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of only adjusting probe position vertically, the system introduces angular adjustment as another dimension of positioning. By tilting the support bar and probes at optimized angles, the probes can be positioned closer to the impeller while maintaining safe clearance, thus reducing the minimum working volume requirement without compromising probe safety or reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems (100, 700) and method for probe angle adjustment in bioreactor vessels are provided. The system (100) comprises a reactor vessel (110) having a reaction chamber (113), wherein the reaction chamber (113) has at least one opening (111). A probe support bar assembly (200, 300) is mounted on the reactor vessel (110) and a sensing probe (114) is mounted on the probe support bar (112) and the sensing probe (114) passes through the opening (111) on the reaction chamber (113). Movement of the probe support bar assembly (200, 300) changes the angle of inclination of sensing probe (114) inside the reaction chamber (113).