Regulated Vacuum Off-Gassing for Bioreactor Gas Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas filtering systems for bioreactors face challenges in achieving high gas flow rates at low pressures, leading to increased costs due to the need for elevated pressures or multiple filters, which can be costly and risky for flexible bag bioreactors that may rupture under high pressure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fluid processing system that applies a partial vacuum to the exhaust port of the filter, allowing for increased gas flow through the filter while maintaining safe operating pressures for flexible bag bioreactors, potentially reducing the number and size of filters required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If elevated gas pressure is used to obtain desired gas flow rates through conventional filters, then gas flow rate is improved, but the risk of flexible bag bioreactor rupture increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying positive pressure to drive gas through the filter, the patent applies negative pressure (vacuum) on the downstream side of the filter. This reverses the traditional pressure differential approach and enables high gas flow rates without exceeding the maximum pressure tolerance of flexible bag bioreactors, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from positive pressure to negative pressure (vacuum) on the downstream side of the filter. This parameter change allows the system to achieve desired gas flow rates while maintaining bioreactor integrity, as the maximum pressure tolerance of flexible bags is not exceeded
2Productivity
If multiple gas filters are used in parallel to achieve high gas flow rates at low pressure, then gas flow rate is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vacuum to the downstream side of the filter before gas flows through it, pre-establishing a strong pressure differential that drives high gas flow rates through a single filter. This preliminary action eliminates the need for multiple filters in parallel, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining high productivity
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
This approach enhances gas flow rates through filters, reduces the need for multiple filters, and extends their lifespan, thereby minimizing costs and ensuring the integrity of flexible bag bioreactors by operating at lower pressures.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump that applies negative pressure to an exhaust port of the filter
Implementation Method 2
applying negative pressure to the exhaust port of the filter... enhances gas flow rates through filters
Data Source
AI summary
A method for filtering a gas includes delivering a gas into a compartment of a gas filter assembly; applying a partial vacuum to the gas filter assembly so that the partial vacuum assists in drawing the gas through a porous filter body of the gas filter assembly that is at least partially disposed within the compartment of the gas filter assembly; and regulating the application of the partial vacuum based on a pressure reading of the gas upstream or downstream of the gas filter assembly.