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BioTech Automation

Automating bioreactors for algae, bacteria and yeasts – from teaching to production

Bioprocesses are becoming increasingly important for industry, as they represent sustainable alternatives to conventional production processes and enable new products to be manufactured. BioTech Automation is an overview that Festo is presenting of components and solutions that are already available, based on selected cultivation processes that are illustrated with two bioreactors: an algae reactor using the example of Chlorella vulgaris and a stainless steel reactor for the cultivation of microorganisms such as E. coli. Also illustrated is a training reactor as a modular training concept. A bioprocess is used to teach electrical engineering, mechanics, computer science and biological processes, creating a new job profile: the biomechatronics technician.

Optimised conditions for cultivating microogranisms

To provide microorganisms such as bacteria, algae and yeasts with the right growing environment so they can achieve a high biomass, the ambient conditions in the reactor must be exactly right. This means many variables need to be measured, recorded and controlled.

In addition to the temperature and pH value, the supply of nutrients the and precise gassing of air, oxygen and other gases play a central role. Festo provides components and solutions from sectors such as gas handling, liquid handling and control technology as well as solutions up to and including ready-to-install control cabinets.

BioTech Automation: bioreactor

Bioreactor:
Highlight products and their function

Here we show a stainless steel bioreactor that is frequently used in industrial biotechnology.

Gas handling: precise flow control

The mass flow controllers VEMD are used to dose the gases. In addition to air, nitrogen, CO2 and in particular oxygen are used.

Liquid handling: precise dosing using overpressure

The pressure-over-liquid method is used to dose the liquid media in the reactor via the proportional-pressure regulator VEAB. The valve is used to pressurise a media container. The overpressure causes the medium to enter the reactor.

The media separated solenoid valve VYKA controls even minute quantities extremely precisely and is also suitable for aggressive substances such as alkalis, acids and other chemicals.

The FDA-compliant ball valve VZBD, which is activated by the quarter-turn actuator DFPD and positioner CMSX, is used to control the temperature of the reactor.

Control: automated control of all parameters

The controller CPX-E controls the components in the reactor, thereby automatically regulating the pH value, temperature and other factors that influence the growth of the microorganisms. It is also possible to connect to a control system using the MTP standard.

The operating screen CDPX displays the appropriate dashboard for operating the bioreactor via touchscreen.

More about the integrated products

Always the right solution

In addition to individual components, Festo also offers customised system solutions for bioreactors. Certain components were selected for the development of customised automation solutions, for example in the form of complete control cabinets. Customised software can also be created, from the control system to the cloud. The seamless integration of the systems and the ability to analyse data in real time enable efficient and transparent process control.

Training reactor: modular system for biomechatronics engineers

In addition to the development of new job profiles, Festo has designed a modular training concept for prospective biomechatronics engineers that can be used to impart knowledge, especially technical fundamentals. The system consists of training software and various training hardware components housed in a modular carrier system.