Specifications.pdf

Specifications for the 1L Fermenter:

The 1 L vessel will be used to culture algae, fungi, and bacteria. The bench-top bioreactor must have the capabilities for growing cultures in batch, fed-batch and continuous modes. The bioreactor's environmental conditions like gas (air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide) flow rates, temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen levels, and agitation speed/circulation rate can be closely monitored and controlled, thus optimizing growing conditions. An IRIS software package is needed to monitor and control the custom temperature, agitation data, etc. This package is needed because a same software package will be used for an anaerobic digester which will save money and shorten the learning time for the system.

Specifications for the Anaerobic Digester:

The Techfors-S 30 L anaerobic digestion system from Infors is the only available unit on the market that will be able to sufficiently agitate 3 to 7 L of slurry having a viscosity of up to

70,000 centipoise. Infors has designed a mixing paddle specifically for high solids content slurries for use in the Techfors-S system. The Infors system will include both an anchor impeller and a marine impeller which will allow for experimentation with a wide variety of feedstock slurries that differ greatly in composition and viscosity. Moreover, stirring 10 L of dense slurry at up 300 rpm will require a high torque motor, which Infors will supply using a 1 HP motor. In addition, the Techfors-S system will be able to guarantee a maximum operating temperature of

80 °C.

Further information on Anaerobic Digester:

1.) Tested to operate at customer specification of 80C (max of 95C) with electrical heating. Since the vessel does not need to be sterilized, no steam source is required to operate. This is unique for a larger vessel.

2.) Vessel jacket extends below to the ‘dish’ at the bottom of the vessel. Traditionally, the jacket is on the sides only. This makes temperature control and uniformity and lower volumes much more difficult. This system does not have this problem.

3.) The agitation motor and special ‘anchor impeller’ have been tested and modified specifically to agitate and properly mix 3 to 7 L of slurry at 70,000 centipoise. Not only does this impeller stir at higher viscosities, it is suitable for lower viscosity mixing.

4.) This system will be provided with integrated oxygen, CO2 and methane exhaust gas sensors. It is the only system to have proper agitation, temperature and the exhaust gas monitoring capability.

5.) With addition of steam and proper probes, the Techfors-S can be used for normal fermentation from 5.3L to 20 L working volume

6.) The IRIS software package will monitor and control the custom temperature, agitation collect data from the custom exhaust gas sensors. With this data, the end user will be able to specifically tailor feed and control strategies based upon the data obtained.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PH http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agitator_%28device%29