Bacterial Cellulose Production Trough with Sloped Slide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing bacterially synthesized cellulose result in materials with limited size, inhomogeneous structure, and variable dimensions due to dependence on reactor geometry, mechanical stress, and inconsistent nutrient supply, making them unsuitable for large-scale production and homogeneous production.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a trough-like reaction vessel with controlled nutrient and oxygen supply, a sloped slide for force-free material removal, and a motor-driven belt system for continuous and adjustable production of homogeneous, flat cellulose sheets, independent of reactor geometry, with temperature and oxygen concentration control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If stand cultivation with continuous winding of filaments is used, then production scale can be increased, but the material structure becomes inhomogeneous and non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the cultivation process into distinct zones: a supply zone with continuous nutrient supply and an extraction zone with the sliding bevel. This allows the bacterial cellulose to be produced continuously while maintaining homogeneous structure through controlled nutrient availability in each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces dynamic nutrient supply through pumps and flow control mechanisms, allowing the nutrient medium to be continuously replenished in the supply zone. This dynamic supply ensures consistent bacterial growth and homogeneous cellulose structure during scaled-up production.
2Shape
If mechanical force is applied to wind up BC biofilms, then flat fleeces can be formed, but the structure of the bacterial cellulose is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding bevel acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables gentle material removal. Instead of direct mechanical winding that damages structure, the inclined surface allows the bacterial cellulose to be lifted and formed into flat sheets through gravity and controlled movement, preserving the homogeneous three-dimensional network structure.
3Device complexity
If the reaction vessel geometry is fixed, then cultivation is simplified, but the fleece dimensions are limited and not variable
Solution Approach 1:
The device makes the effective cultivation area dynamic through the movable sliding bevel and adjustable extraction position. While the reaction vessel itself has fixed geometry, the usable cultivation zone can be varied by adjusting the bevel position and nutrient supply parameters, allowing production of fleeces in different dimensions without changing the vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction vessel is effectively segmented into active cultivation zones by the sliding bevel position. This allows the same vessel to produce fleeces of different sizes by adjusting where along the vessel length the cellulose is harvested, providing dimension variability while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Device complexity
If nutrient medium supply is not continuously optimized, then the process is simpler, but the availability of nutrient medium ingredients varies
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements continuous nutrient medium supply through pumps and flow distribution systems that continuously replenish the nutrient medium in the supply zone. This continuous action ensures constant optimal availability of nutrient ingredients throughout the cultivation process, maintaining reliable and consistent bacterial cellulose production.
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
Enables efficient, large-scale production of homogeneous, flat bacterially synthesized cellulose with defined dimensions and thickness, minimizing mechanical stress and ensuring consistent nutrient availability, resulting in high-quality cellulose materials.
Implementation Method 1
a sloped slide (45) for the planar body to be pulled off
Implementation Method 2
a sloped slide (45) for the planar body to be pulled off
Implementation Method 3
at least one motor-driven belt (14) which is continuously guided through the nutrient medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for producing bacterially synthesized cellulose or cellulose-containing planar material, comprising a tub-type reaction vessel for holding a nutrient solution, and means for feeding nutrient solution and controlling the temperature of the reaction vessel and for supplying oxygen. According to the invention, the reaction vessel includes an elongate tub member that has a first and a second end. An inlet for a rich nutrient solution is provided at the first end, while an outlet for a weak nutrient solution is provided at the second, opposite end. Furthermore, an inclined slide for the planar material that is to be withdrawn is formed at the second end of the tub member. A withdrawing and conveying module which is located outside the second end of the tub member accommodates at least one motor-driven belt and a rinsing and cleaning tub for the withdrawn planar material. Preferably, the at least one inlet for the rich nutrient solution is disposed below the filling level of the nutrient solution in the tub member.