Bioreactor
In our research work, the emphasis is put on the verification of theoretical results and methods by experimental cultivations in the bioreactor. Multiagent control system BIOGENES II represents the process control system developed by our group.
The original equipment from the 1980's was completely modernized and upgraded due to grants from international research projects since 1995.
Bioprocess control laboratory – general view
Measurement and control
The following process variables are measured or controlled during the experiments:
- temperature T
- medium's acidity pH
- dissolved oxygen concentration DOT
- oxygen concentration in off-gas O2
- carbon dioxide concentration in off-gas CO2
- ethanol concentration EtOH
- biomass concentration X
- concentration of other substances using chromatographic methods
On-line analyzers:
- paramagnetic analyzer of O2 Servomex 1100A
- infrared analyzer of CO2 Servomex 1440B
- Membrane analyzer of ethanol Alcosens 2620, Frings
- Capacitance analyzer of biomass concentration Biomass Monitor BM210, Aber Instruments
- Analyzer of medium's composition – HPLC chromatograph, Waters
Manipulated variables:
- stirring speed S
- gas flow rate Fv
- feeding flow rate Fm
- acid flow rate Fa
- base flow rate Fb
Other equipment:
- analyzer of cell number, size and concentration Z2 Coulter Counter, Beckman Coulter
- analytical balance AND HR-200, A&D