Apparatus and method for microbial fermentation in a zero gravity environment
US3969190A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 1973 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 1993 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12M29/20
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The growth of micro-organisms, including cells, molds, yeasts, bacteria and the like, under conditions of substantially zero gravity, is accomplished in a closed system maintained within a space vehicle in orbital flight including mechanisms for supplying oxygen of an optimum bubble size range and number density of bubbles, to a suitable culture medium, continuously dialyzing the culture medium of the micro-organism suspension against an excess of fresh culture medium to remove metabolites and replenish nutrients, supplying additional growth medium to the culture as needed, and recovering desired products of the fermentation, including, for example, enzymes, steroids and pharmaceuticals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.