Premium
A fluid dynamics approach to bioreactor design for cell and tissue culture
Author(s) -
Dusting Jonathan,
Sheridan John,
Hourigan Kerry
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.20960
Subject(s) - mechanics , impeller , vortex , laminar flow , turbulence , particle image velocimetry , reynolds number , reynolds stress , fluid dynamics , physics , classical mechanics , materials science
Abstract The problem of controlling cylindrical tank bioreactor conditions for cell and tissue culture purposes has been considered from a flow dynamics perspective. Simple laminar flows in the vortex breakdown region are proposed as being a suitable alternative to turbulent spinner flask flows and horizontally oriented rotational flows. Vortex breakdown flows have been measured using three‐dimensional Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry, and non‐dimensionalized velocity and stress distributions are presented. Regions of locally high principal stress occur in the vicinity of the impeller and the lower sidewall. Topological changes in the vortex breakdown region caused by an increase in Reynolds number are reflected in a redistribution of the peak stress regions. The inclusion of submerged scaffold models adds complexity to the flow, although vortex breakdown may still occur. Relatively large stresses occur along the edge of disks jutting into the boundary of the vortex breakdown region. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.