Abstract: An integrated industrial plant includes various systems, all of which use a cryogenic liquid obtained from a common source. One system includes a fermentation unit, in which cold air, chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid, absorbs excess heat generated by the fermentation. Another system is a lyophilization unit, in which a refrigeration step is performed through the use of air that has been chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid. Another system is a device for freezing discrete samples of biological products, the samples being frozen by partial immersion in the cryogenic liquid. The invention substantially reduces the use of electric power, and provides systems which operate economically and reliably.

Abstract: A fermentation process uses substantially pure oxygen as the sole gas introduced into a fermentation vessel while fermentation reactions are active. The oxygen is introduced at multiple locations along the height of the vessel, and is preferably introduced in the vicinity of the blades of an impeller. The invention enhances the rate at which oxygen can be transferred to the fermentation medium, and is especially useful for fermentation media which become very viscous as the process continues. The invention can be used in the manufacture of viscous products such as xanthan gum, or other products having viscosities greater than about 100 cp.

Abstract: A fermentation process uses substantially pure oxygen. The oxygen is the only reactive gas which is injected into a fermentation vessel. The oxygen is moved through the vessel solely by its own pressure. The process can be used with both mechanically-agitated and air-lifted fermenters. The mechanically-agitated fermenter includes an analyzer for measuring oxygen concentration in the exhaust line, and adjusting the flow of fresh oxygen into the vessel accordingly. In the air-lifted fermenter, an analyzer measures the oxygen concentration in the head space of the vessel, and operates valves which either recycle the gas from the head space, or vent that gas to the outside, according to the measured concentration. A stream of nitrogen is periodically injected into the vessel to drive out carbon dioxide and other gases, to control the pH of the fermentation medium. The present invention substantially improves the efficiency of a commercial fermentation process.

Abstract: A fermentation process uses substantially pure oxygen as the sole gas introduced into a fermentation vessel while fermentation reactions are active. The oxygen is introduced at multiple locations along the height of the vessel, and is preferably introduced in the vicinity of the blades of an impeller. The invention enhances the rate at which oxygen can be transferred to the fermentation medium, and is especially useful for fermentation media which become very viscous as the process continues. The invention can be used in the manufacture of viscous products such as xanthan gum, or other products having viscosities greater than about 100 cp.

Abstract: An integrated industrial plant includes various systems, all of which use a cryogenic liquid obtained from a common source. One system includes a fermentation unit, in which cold air, chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid, absorbs excess heat generated by the fermentation. Another system is a lyophilization unit, in which a refrigeration step is performed through the use of air that has been chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid. Another system is a device for freezing discrete samples of biological products, the samples being frozen by partial immersion in the cryogenic liquid. The invention substantially reduces the use of electric power, and provides systems which operate economically and reliably.

Abstract: An integrated industrial plant includes various systems, all of which use a cryogenic liquid obtained from a common source. One system includes a fermentation unit, in which cold air, chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid, absorbs excess heat generated by the fermentation. Another system is a lyophilization unit, in which a refrigeration step is performed through the use of air that has been chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid. Another system is a device for freezing discrete samples of biological products, the samples being frozen by partial immersion in the cryogenic liquid. The invention substantially reduces the use of electric power, and provides systems which operate economically and reliably.

Abstract: An integrated industrial plant includes various systems, all of which use a cryogenic liquid obtained from a common source. One system includes a fermentation unit, in which cold air, chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid, absorbs excess heat generated by the fermentation. Another system is a lyophilization unit, in which a refrigeration step is performed through the use of air that has been chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid. Another system is a device for freezing discrete samples of biological products, the samples being frozen by partial immersion in the cryogenic liquid. The invention substantially reduces the use of electric power, and provides systems which operate economically and reliably.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the addition of oxygen in fermentations to achieve a desired oxygen consumption and substrate yield in fermentation cell cultures. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for regulating the addition of oxygen (O2) to a fermentor during a fermentation process, comprising measuring real-time dissolved oxygen (DO) in a fermentation broth, measuring real-time O2 concentration in the fermentor exhaust, and providing the real-time DO measurement and real-time O2 measurement to an adaptive controller configured to regulate O2 flow into the fermentor responsive to the real-time DO measurement and real-time O2 measurement.

Abstract: A system and method for removal of solvents, or other materials, from an exhaust stream, uses an active adsorption bed and a bed that is periodically regenerated. Electrically heated nitrogen may be used to regenerate the beds. A portion of the exhaust stream to be cleaned is diverted to a heat exchanger, so as to pre-heat the nitrogen used for regeneration. Liquid nitrogen, preferably from the same source as that used to provide gas for regeneration, is directed to the active bed, lowering its temperature and increasing its efficiency. The invention avoids the need for the use of steam to heat the nitrogen, and provides a system that is more efficient than those known in the prior art.

Abstract: A fermentation process uses substantially pure oxygen. The oxygen is the only reactive gas which is injected into a fermentation vessel. The oxygen is moved through the vessel solely by its own pressure. The process can be used with both mechanically-agitated and air-lifted fermenters. The mechanically-agitated fermenter includes an analyzer for measuring oxygen concentration in the exhaust line, and adjusting the flow of fresh oxygen into the vessel accordingly. In the air-lifted fermenter, an analyzer measures the oxygen concentration in the head space of the vessel, and operates valves which either recycle the gas from the head space, or vent that gas to the outside, according to the measured concentration. A stream of nitrogen is periodically injected into the vessel to drive out carbon dioxide and other gases, to control the pH of the fermentation medium. The present invention substantially improves the efficiency of a commercial fermentation process.