Self-Supporting Bioreactor via Internal Pressure Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bioreactors require complex and costly installations due to the need for external supporting structures and separate connections for each chamber, making setup cumbersome and expensive, and they lack self-supporting properties.
Innovation Solution
A bioreactor with a closed housing that maintains internal pressure higher than external pressure, allowing it to be self-supporting and eliminating the need for external structures, with integrated chamber inlets and outlets that simplify setup and reduce material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If external supporting structures and separate connections are used for each chamber, then structural stability is ensured, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the supporting structure function into the flexible housing itself by maintaining internal pressure to keep the housing expanded and self-supporting. Multiple chambers share a common housing and pressure system, eliminating the need for separate external supports and individual connections for each chamber, thus reducing installation complexity while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bioreactor system serves itself by using the pressure of the cultivation medium to automatically maintain the housing in an expanded, self-supporting state. The internal pressure system eliminates the need for external supporting structures, and the integrated housing reduces the need for separate connection components, thereby simplifying installation.
2Strength
If external supporting structures are used, then structural support is provided, but material costs and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the structural support function with the flexible housing by using internal pressure to maintain the housing's expanded state. This eliminates the need for separate external supporting structures and reduces the number of installation steps, thereby reducing both material costs and installation time while maintaining adequate structural support for the bioreactor chambers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate connections are made for each chamber inlet and outlet, then individual chamber control is achieved, but setup becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal pressure system that serves all chambers simultaneously through the shared flexible housing. The common pressure inlet and outlet connections distribute pressure to all chambers through the housing structure, providing individual chamber control through the pressure distribution system while simplifying setup by eliminating the need for separate connections to each chamber.
4Adaptability or versatility
If flexible housing with internal pressure is used, then self-supporting capability is achieved, but pressure maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the cultivation medium itself to maintain the internal pressure required for the flexible housing to remain self-supporting. The pressure needed for biomass cultivation serves dual purposes: both growing the biomass and maintaining the structural integrity of the housing, thereby eliminating the need for separate energy input for pressure maintenance.
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 bioreactor can be easily set up and disassembled, reducing installation costs and minimizing contamination risks, while allowing for flexible placement and efficient biomass production with increased yield due to its self-supporting design and integrated connections.
Implementation Method 1
in the bioreactor a reactor pressure is maintained which is higher than the external pressure outside the bioreactor, in such a way that the bioreactor is self-supporting
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a bioreactor which comprises a closed housing with a housing wall and at least one chamber which is connected to the housing wall. The at least one chamber comprises a chamber inlet and outlet for respectively supplying and discharging material to and from the at least one chamber. The housing comprises a housing inlet for supplying material to the chamber inlet and a housing outlet for discharging treated material from the chamber outlet to the outside of the bioreactor. The bioreactor forms a closed volume in which a reactor pressure prevails in the bioreactor which is higher than the external pressure outside the bioreactor, in such a way that the bioreactor is self-supporting.