Venturi Gas Dissolution Apparatus for Bioreactor Oxygenation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bioreactors face limitations in oxygenation due to poor gas solubility in liquids, leading to low oxygen concentrations, bubble disturbance of cells, and potential infections from foam production during conventional gas sparging techniques.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a venturi design that accelerates and decelerates a gas-liquid mixture, generating a shockwave to enhance oxygen dissolution, integrated with a diffusion and mixing chamber to break up bubbles and promote turbulent flow, ensuring higher oxygen concentrations without bubble disturbance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If gas sparging is used to oxygenate liquid, then oxygen can be dissolved into the liquid, but the amount of oxygen dissolved is limited due to poor solubility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of oxygen dissolvedVSAvoidoxygen dissolution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the liquid-gas system by using a venturi to create high velocity flow and low pressure regions, transforming the dissolution process from passive sparging to active shockwave-induced dissolution. This enables oxygen dissolution levels to exceed normal solubility limits of approximately 30 mg/l at 37°C.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The venturi design generates shockwaves through rapid acceleration and deceleration of the gas-liquid mixture. These mechanical shockwaves force oxygen to dissolve into the liquid beyond equilibrium solubility limits, directly addressing the poor dissolution efficiency problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Quantity of substance

If a large number of bubbles are injected to increase oxygen dissolution, then more oxygen can be dissolved, but bubbles disturb and damage cells or organisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of oxygen dissolvedVSAvoidbubble disturbance to cells

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical bubble injection system with a shockwave-based dissolution system. Instead of using numerous bubbles that physically contact and disturb cells, the venturi generates pressure waves that force oxygen dissolution without requiring persistent bubble presence, thereby eliminating cell damage while maintaining high oxygen dissolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of high-velocity flow (which could damage cells) into a beneficial shockwave mechanism. The shockwaves are generated in a controlled manner within the venturi, providing sufficient energy for oxygen dissolution while the liquid subsequently calms before reaching the bioreactor, preventing cell damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional gas sparging is used, then oxygen can be added to liquid, but foam is produced which can trigger infections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoxygen added to liquidVSAvoidfoam production

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional sparging mechanism that generates foam with a shockwave-based dissolution system. The venturi design forces oxygen to dissolve through pressure waves rather than creating persistent bubbles, thereby eliminating foam formation at the liquid surface that could harbor exogenous bacteria and trigger infections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 apparatus achieves higher concentrations of dissolved oxygen (>20 mg/l) while minimizing bubble-related disturbances and foam production, improving cell culture outcomes and reducing infection risks.

Implementation Method 1

Owing to the restriction the venturi creates in the flow path, this causes the liquid and gas (e.g. oxygen) mixture to accelerate through the venturi and then decelerate at the other side, generating a shockwave in the liquid and gas (e.g. oxygen) mixture which forces the oxygen to dissolve in the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock wave: Shock Wave

Implementation Method 2

Owing to the restriction the venturi creates in the flow path, this causes the liquid and gas (e.g. oxygen) mixture to accelerate through the venturi

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3215259B1Apparatus for dissolving gas into a liquid

Publication Date: 2023.10.11 OXY SOLUTIONS

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Figure 2a
Figure 2b

AI summary

An apparatus (2) for dissolving a gas into a liquid includes a liquid inlet (4) for supplying liquid into the apparatus, a gas inlet (6) for supplying gas into the liquid within the apparatus and a venturi (52) arranged to dissolve the gas into the liquid passing through the venturi. The apparatus also includes an outlet (18) for the liquid and dissolved gas downstream of the venturi. At least part of the liquid inlet, at least part of the gas inlet, at least part of the venturi and at least part of the outlet are formed in an integrally formed piece of material (42).