Industrial Biotechnology

5. STIRRER TANK BIOREACTOR

It is a common ideal reactor type in chemical engineering. It consists of a tank containing

impellers which move constantly for continuous agitation. The size of this type of bioreactor
depends upon media. Spargers are used for aeration while anti foaming agents are used to
reduce foam in the vessel. The height and width should be in 1 ratio 2. They are always
operated in continuous mode. But the impellers can damage the cells. It also covers large
space due to giant sizes.

SCALE UP PROCESS

The commercial application of technology developed in the laboratory to industrial

application requires the scaling up from the lab scale (0.1 to 1L) to the industrial scale
(10,000 – 1,000,000+ L), representing an increase. This represents a scale-up process,
equipment design, and technology risks. The scale-up process performed at three scales.

LAB SCALE

The process is first evaluated on lab scale. Conditions are optimized and analyzed during
development. Lab scale uses different instruments.

1. Use of Erlenmeyer flask

An Erlenmeyer, also known as a conical flask, is a widely used type of laboratory flask which
features a flat bottom, a conical body, and a cylindrical neck. It is named after the German
chemist Emil Erlenmeyer, who created it in 1861.The Erlenmeyer is usually marked on the
side (graduated) to indicate the approximate volume of contents, and has a spot
of enamel where it can be labeled with a pencil. It differs from the beaker in its tapered body
and narrow neck. It has a capacity of 250 ml-1 liter.
2. Optimization of Conditions
It mainly includes temperature, pH, media and gas requirements. Different conditions are
used and the one giving the best results are selected on trial and error basis. E.g. Temperature
ranging from 25C-45C is used in synthesis of lactic acid by lactobacillus Bulgaricus. The one
with better result is selected for future use. Likewise pH and media are also optimized.

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