Segmented Bioprocessing Vessel for Wrinkle-Free Cylindrical Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible bioprocessing vessels face challenges in efficient manufacturing, shipping, and deployment within cylindrical rigid support structures due to their large size, limited hoist points, and potential wrinkling, which can create non-uniform fluid zones and require user manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible bioprocessing vessel design featuring at least six side panels, a top panel, and a bottom panel, with vertical welds and circumferential hoisting points, allowing for easy installation and minimizing wrinkling, and is configured to fit closely within cylindrical support structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If flexible bags are made relatively large (2000L-3000L capacity) for use within rigid support structures, then the processing capacity is improved, but the bags become challenging to ship, install and deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bag is divided into multiple panels (at least four panels) that are joined together. This segmentation allows the large-capacity bag to be manufactured in manageable sections that can be more easily shipped and deployed while maintaining the required processing capacity when assembled.
2Device complexity
If flexible bags include relatively few hoist points (2-4 points) to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the possibility of wrinkling during deployment increases
Solution Approach 1:
Hoist points are strategically positioned at specific locations on the flexible bag, particularly near the top edges of panels. This localized placement of hoist points at critical areas provides better control during deployment, reduces wrinkling, and ensures uniform raising of the bag without requiring an excessive number of hoist points throughout the entire structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If flexible bags are manufactured from a relatively small number of panels (e.g., four panels) to simplify manufacturing, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the bags are generally oversized and do not conform closely to cylindrical interior
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bag is designed with curved surfaces and panels that are shaped to conform to the cylindrical interior of rigid support structures. By incorporating curvature into the panel designs and their arrangements, the bag achieves better cylindrical conformance while maintaining a manageable number of panels for manufacturing.
4Ease of operation
If flexible bags are dimensionally larger than necessary to accommodate maximum fill levels, then the manufacturing and deployment is easier, but the headspace is not uniform in curvature or size
Solution Approach 1:
The dimensions and curvature parameters of the flexible bag panels are optimized to achieve uniform headspace when the bag is filled to its maximum capacity. By carefully adjusting these geometric parameters, the design ensures that the bag maintains uniform curvature and headspace characteristics while remaining easy to deploy within cylindrical support structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible bioprocessing vessel includes at least six side panels forming sides of the flexible bioprocessing vessel, a top panel adjoining the at least six side panels, the top panel forming a top of the flexible bioprocessing vessel, a bottom panel adjoining the at least six side panels, the bottom panel forming a bottom of the flexible bioprocessing vessel, the at least six side panels, top panel, and bottom panel defining an interior cavity configured for processing a fluid, the at least six side panels joined together via vertical welds. The vessel further includes at least one fluid input and at least one fluid output for adding and removing fluid to and from the interior cavity respectively. Wherein the flexible bioprocessing vessel is configured for use within a rigid support structure having a cylindrical interior.