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A viscous pump bioreactor
Author(s) -
Kleis S. J.,
Schreck S.,
Nerem R. M.
Publication year - 1990
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.260360803
Subject(s) - agitator , microcarrier , bioreactor , mixing (physics) , shear stress , fluidization , turbulence , stress (linguistics) , flow (mathematics) , rheometer , impeller , mechanics , materials science , chemistry , physics , fluidized bed , rheology , composite material , biochemistry , linguistics , philosophy , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , cell
The fluid dynamic design and characterization of a low mechanical stress agitator and bioreactor vessel for large‐scale bioprocessing using anchorage dependent mammalian cells is considered. The complex and fragile nature of mammalian cells puts stringent constraints on the design of agitators for stirred tank bioreactors. Traditional agitators have difficulty meeting the competing requirements of fluidization and mixing while maintaining low enough mechanical stress levels to avoid cell damage. A rotating disc agitator design is proposed. Flow visualization and laser Doppler velocimeter measurements reveal fluidization of microcarriers with a gentle (low turbulence level), highly three‐dimensional flow characterized by good mixing at low hydrodynamic shear stress levels.