Apparatus for defoaming and controlling aerobic culture fermentation
US5476573A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 23, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/812
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and method for defoaming aerobic fermentation cultures is provided, where the amount of liquid culture medium used is greater than that in conventional aerobic cultures (70% or more of the total capacity of the culture tank) without lowering the productivity of the intended, desired product. In the present apparatus and method, a device for separating vapor from liquid of a foam is in fluid communication with the fermentation tank, a device for condensing residual liquid of the vapor received from the separating device is in fluid communication with the separating device, and a sensor for detecting foams is provided in a location along the fluid communication pathway. In the defoaming apparatus, an optional defoaming device is provided, which may be based on either a rotary body rotating at a high speed by use of an electric motor which beats the foams, or on a centrifugal atomizer. The defoaming device may be provided between the vapor-liquid separating device and the condensing device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.