Centrifugal fermentation process
AssigneeKinetic Biosystems, Inc.
InventorHeath H. Herman
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Abstract
The present invention comprises a novel culture method and device in which living cells or subcellular biocatalysts are immobilized by the opposition of a centrifugal force field and a liquid flow field. The immobilized cells or biocatalysts are ordered into a three-dimensional array of particles, the density of which is determined by the particle size, shape, intrinsic density and by the selection of combinations of parameters such as liquid flow rate and angular velocity of rotation.
Claims12
A method of containing a biocatalyst comprising containing the biocatalyst in at least one chamber in a centrifugal force field wherein a continuous flow of a liquid acts to create a force which opposes the centrifugal force field and wherein a gravitational force contributes to the resultant vector summation of all forces acting on the biocatalyst, wherein the gravitational force, the centrifugal force and the opposing liquid force substantially immobilize the biocatalyst at a position in the chamber, the liquid is at hydraulic pressures greater than ambient pressure, and wherein no gaseous phase is present in said chamber.
A method of producing a product from a biocatalyst comprising:
- a. containing the biocatalyst in at least one chamber in a centrifugal force field wherein a continuous flow of a liquid acts to create a force which opposes the centrifugal force field and wherein a gravitational force contributes to the resultant vector summation of all forces acting on the biocatalyst, wherein the gravitational force, the centrifugal force and the opposing liquid force substantially immobilize the biocatalyst at a position in the chamber, the liquid is at hydraulic pressures greater than ambient pressure, and wherein no gaseous phase is present in said chamber, and
- b. collecting the continuous flow of liquid exterior to the chamber with the product therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.