Premium
Disintegration of microorganisms in an industrial horizontal mill of novel design
Author(s) -
Rehacek J.,
Schaefer J.
Publication year - 1977
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.260191009
Subject(s) - agitator , grinding , mill , volumetric flow rate , materials science , mechanics , composite material , mechanical engineering , engineering , physics , viscosity
A continuous high‐speed horizontal colloid mill of novel design for use in the microbiological and food industries was tested for the disintegration of cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida utilis . The mill consists of a horizontal vessel with round or oval cross sections fitted with a high‐speed longitudinal agitator shaft on which are mounted disk agitators, alternating radially and obliquely to the shaft. The mill is partly filled with freely moving grinding elements which, during a continuous operation, are maintained in the vessel by a vibrating annular slot separator. Highly efficient cooling is provided by circulation of cooling fluid through a jacket surrounding the vessel as well as through the agitator shaft and disks. The radial agitator disks impart a radial motion to the grinding elements, while the oblique disks give rise to the axial movement of a substantial part of the elements. The crossing of paths thus achieved gives the mill a very high efficiency. Using a mill of 20 liter nominal capacity, the effects of agitator design, agitator speed, flow rate, and concentration of the cell suspension on the disintegration efficiency and heat production were studied. Ninety per cent of S. cerevisiae cells in a 15% suspension could be broken at a residence time of 2.5 min. The temperature rise did not exceed 8° C. The corresponding figure for C. utilis was 84%. The maximal flow rate was 400 liter/hr. Extrapolation indicates that available industrial mills of 300 liter capacity based on the same design can handle flows of 2000 liter/hr.