Abstract: A vessel is adapted to contain a liquid phase and a tubular guide baffle in the vessel has spaced open ends one of which at least in part bounds a venturi-shaped passage. A rotary impeller in the vessel has an axial inlet communicating with the one open end and a plurality of peripheral outlets which communicate with the axial inlet. A drive is provided for rotating the impeller so that centrifugal action causes expulsion of liquid phase from the outlets and thereby creates suction in the venturi-shaped passage to draw additional liquid phase from the guide baffle into the inlet. Gas admitting arrangements are provided, including a plurality of nipples communicating with the passage and with a conduit through which gas is supplied, so that the suction in the venturi-shaped passage draws gas from the source via the conduit and the nipples and the gas becomes admixed with the liquid phase.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sterile filling of products into cup-shaped containers, which comprises an endless conveyor passing containers in sterile condition in succession through treatment stations including a filling station, a lid-applying station, a sealing station and an ejection station. A large sterile chamber formed beneath an applied covering hood and enclosing all said treatment stations is provided; and before the treatment stations, as seen in the direction of travel of said conveyor, and in above the conveyor there are of a finished-container magazine and a short-path, quick-acting sterilization station including a sterilizing-agent sprayer and sterilizing-agent drier is above the conveyor and enclosed by the covering hood.

Abstract: A vessel is provided for cultivating microorganisms. Said vessel contains a body of liquid, and a hollow rotary impeller is mounted in the vessel and has in the region of its axis of rotation a liquid inlet formed with a venturi-shaped constriction. A plurality of first gas outlets communicate with the liquid inlet in the region of the constriction so that the suction resulting from the liquid flow will pull the gas through these first outlets. A plurality of second gas outlets are located on the periphery of the impeller remote from the first outlet.

Abstract: A vessel is adapted to accommodate a liquid phase containing a nutrient liquid and micro-organisms which are to be aerobically grown. A gaseous phase is admitted into the presence of the liquid phase, and the resulting mixture is advanced to a mixing chamber where it is uniformly mixed by a rotary element having a plurality of baffles extending across the path of the advancing mixture. Additional projections also extend across the path and define constrictions therein with the baffles so that the advancing mixture is thereupon dispersed prior to being expelled into the vessel. The rotary element also has a Venturi-shaped passage provided with a throat which is operative for generating a region of suction when the rotary element is rotated so that the rate of advance of the mixture is accelerated.

Abstract: Heat liberated during an exothermic biochemical reaction is utilized in carrying out an operation requiring energy such as drying the product obtained from the reaction or sterilizing the substrate used for the reaction. The liberated heat is absorbed by a vaporizable cooling medium for transfer to the operation requiring energy. Alternatively the temperature of the cooling medium subsequent to the absorption of heat thereby is raised by compressing the vaporized cooling medium. The heating cooling medium is used to carry out the operation requiring energy. An arrangement which includes a bioreactor is also disclosed and includes heat pump means for permitting utilization of heat liberated during an exothermic biochemical reaction in the performance of an operation requiring energy.

Abstract: A hollow upright shaft is surrounded at axially spaced locations by spacer rings. Intermediate these rings the shaft is surrounded by substantially horizontally oriented plate-shaped filter elements which rotate with the shaft. Each filter element has a liquid-impermeable annular plate the upper surface of which carries a filter material. The inner circumference of the plate is formed with a downwardly extending stepped collar which is received in the subjacent spacer ring and thus centers the filter element with reference to the ring and to the shaft. The latter has openings in its periphery through which filtered liquid can flow into the interior of the shaft, to be led away.

Abstract: From a vessel in which micro-organisms grow in a liquid medium containing gas bubbles, a sample is withdrawn into an exterior measuring chamber by means of suction. Gas bubbles are allowed to escape from the sample and thereafter the opacity or turbidity of the sample is measured by passing a light beam through it.