Dissolved Oxygen Control Using Capacitance Biomass Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bioreactors face challenges in accurately regulating dissolved oxygen levels due to interference from oxygen bubbles, leading to inaccurate sensor readings and reduced precision in maintaining optimal conditions for cell growth and fermentation processes.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing both dissolved oxygen (DO) sensors and capacitance sensors to measure biomass, generating a model that predicts oxygen demand based on capacitance changes, allowing for precise control of oxygen input to maintain targeted DO levels, thereby reducing noise and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dissolved oxygen sensors are used to measure oxygen levels in bioreactors, then oxygen concentration can be monitored, but sensor readings become inaccurate due to interference from oxygen bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces capacitance sensors as an intermediary measurement tool that indirectly assesses oxygen demand through biomass capacitance changes, bypassing the direct measurement interference caused by oxygen bubbles while still enabling effective oxygen level control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical/electrochemical dissolved oxygen sensing method with an electrical field-based capacitance measurement approach, using electrical properties of biomass to infer oxygen demand without direct contact with oxygen bubbles
2Productivity
If dissolved oxygen levels are constantly monitored using sensors, then cell growth and nutrient uptake can be optimized, but sensor noise reduces measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
Capacitance sensors serve as an intermediary that measures biomass electrical properties to infer oxygen demand, providing a noise-free alternative signal that correlates with cell growth stages and oxygen requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses capacitance measurements as feedback to dynamically adjust oxygen input, creating a control loop that responds to biomass growth stages without being affected by sensor noise in traditional DO measurements
3Reliability
If traditional dissolved oxygen control methods are used, then oxygen levels can be maintained, but accuracy is reduced due to bubble interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses capacitance sensors as an intermediary measurement system that indirectly determines oxygen demand through biomass electrical properties, eliminating direct interference from oxygen bubbles while maintaining control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from direct dissolved oxygen concentration to biomass capacitance, which correlates with oxygen demand but is not affected by oxygen bubble interference
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 system enhances the precision and accuracy of dissolved oxygen regulation in bioreactors, improving cell culture and fermentation processes by reducing sensor noise and ensuring optimal oxygen levels for cell growth.
Implementation Method 1
capacitance sensors to measure biomass, generating a model that predicts oxygen demand based on capacitance changes
Data Source
AI summary
Sensors are configured to capture measurement data representing dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements of an environment and capacitance measurements of a medium of the environment. A memory includes computer-executable instructions. One or more processors are communicatively coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to carry out operations comprising: generating, using first measurement data captured by the one or more sensors, a model based on a relationship between the first set of DO measurements and the first set of capacitance measurements; receiving, from the one or more sensors, second measurement data; predicting, using the model and based on the new capacitance measurement, an expected DO measurement; determining whether to use the expected DO measurement or the new DO measurement; and controlling, a valve to cause the determined oxygen input amount to flow into the environment based on the expected DO measurement.