Flow control for optimising growth of microorganisms

A German research institute asked Bronkhorst Deutschland Nord for support supplying them a liquid flow control setup to be used in research to learn more about the conditions under which a population of microorganisms is able to grow using varying parameters. Flow control is used for an accurate and steady flow of aqueous liquid.

Today, more than ever, enzymes and microorganisms are being used to increase the sustainable production of pharmaceuticals and (bio)chemicals. Researchers in institutes or the industry want to know under which conditions these biological cells grow faster or slower and want to learn about the influence of nutrients or additives to understand the underlying biological processes.

Process solution

Bronkhorst supplied two liquid mass flow instruments (series mini CORI-FLOW). Each of them inserted in the circulation system in between the reactor vessels, with the aim to provide a continuous flow of aqueous liquid.
 
The researchers allowed the micro-organisms to grow in the main reactor of approx. 1 liter in an aqueous environment. For determining the cell growth rate, they took samples from the main reactor at regular intervals. Temperature is an important parameter. Too low temperatures will refrain microorganisms from growing, and too high temperatures are detrimental to the microorganisms themselves. 
 
The liquid mass flow instrument with (C5I) control valve gives a signal to a control unit which controls a pump, creating a ‘direct pump control’. The liquid goes from the main reactor to a second reactor with a volume of about 200 ml, and from there it will be pumped with a second flow controller/pump combination back to the main reactor. It is a continuous circulation, day and night, which should go steady.