Abstract: A tool, for opening a variety of valves associated with gas cylinders, includes an elongated body. One end of the body defines a hook. The body has a generally square cut-out extending through the thickness of the body. The body also includes two or three threaded holes which enable a set of threaded pins to be screwed into the holes. The body also includes an opening defining regions of distinct widths. The tool can be used to remove or insert a cap or cover on a gas cylinder, to operate a valve of a welding gas cylinder, to open or close a nut or fitting associated with a gas cylinder, and to open or close a valve wheel associated with a gas cylinder. The tool thus simplifies the management of gas cylinders, by reducing or eliminating the need for auxiliary tools such as wrenches and hammers.

Abstract: A tool, for opening a variety of valves associated with gas cylinders, includes an elongated body. One end of the body defines a hook. The body has a generally square cut-out extending through the thickness of the body. The body also includes two or three threaded holes which enable a set of threaded pins to be screwed into the holes. The body also includes an opening defining regions of distinct widths. The tool can be used to remove or insert a cap or cover on a gas cylinder, to operate a valve of a welding gas cylinder, to open or close a nut or fitting associated with a gas cylinder, and to open or close a valve wheel associated with a gas cylinder. The tool thus simplifies the management of gas cylinders, by reducing or eliminating the need for auxiliary tools such as wrenches and hammers.

Abstract: A process and system for lyophilizing a product. The product is first cooled in a cooling chamber (12) and then passed through a liquid nitrogen bath (14) where it is frozen. It is then freeze dried in a lyophilization chamber (26) during which the water or non-aqueous media is sublimated using a combination of gaseous nitrogen and vaporized nitrogen from liquid nitrogen supplied to the lyophilization chamber. Water and non-aqueous media removed from the product during sublimation is purged from the chamber. The system of the present invention provides more energy efficient operation, eliminates the use of hot oils and oil leaks, operates more reliably, and the liquid nitrogen can be used both as a refrigeration source, for heating shelves instead of hot oil and also can maintain the lyophilization temperature in case of power failure with minimum electric power supply in case of a power outage.

Abstract: A process and system for lyophilizing a product. The product is first cooled in a cooling chamber (12) and then passed through a liquid nitrogen bath (14) where it is frozen. It is then freeze dried in a lyophilization chamber (26) during which the water or non-aqueous media is sublimated using a combination of gaseous nitrogen and vaporized nitrogen from liquid nitrogen supplied to the lyophilization chamber. Water and non-aqueous media removed from the product during sublimation is purged from the chamber. The system of the present invention provides more energy efficient operation, eliminates the use of hot oils and oil leaks, operates more reliably, and the liquid nitrogen can be used both as a refrigeration source, for heating shelves instead of hot oil and also can maintain the lyophilization temperature in case of power failure with minimum electric power supply in case of a power outage.

Abstract: A process and system for lyophilizing a product. The product is first cooled in a cooling chamber (12) and then passed through a liquid nitrogen bath (14) where it is frozen. It is then freeze dried in a lyophilization chamber (26) during which the water or non-aqueous media is sublimated using a combination of gaseous nitrogen and vaporized nitrogen from liquid nitrogen supplied to the lyophilization chamber. Water and non-aqueous media removed from the product during sublimation is purged from the chamber. The system of the present invention provides more energy efficient operation, eliminates the use of hot oils and oil leaks, operates more reliably, and the liquid nitrogen can be used both as a refrigeration source, for heating shelves instead of hot oil and also can maintain the lyophilization temperature in case of power failure with minimum electric power supply in case of a power outage.

Abstract: A method and device (10) for producing and dispensing oxygenated water. A mixing unit (30) has an inlet for supplying water to the mixing unit, and an inlet for supplying oxygen to the unit. Separate control valves or devices are installed in the respective flow paths by which water and oxygen are directed to their respective inlets so to separately control the rate at which water and oxygen are supplied to it. The mixing unit includes an element (39) for dissolving oxygen supplied to the mixing unit into the water also supplied thereto, the mixing unit controlling the level of oxygen dissolution into the water. A dispenser (46) is connected to an outlet (42) of the mixing unit for dispensing oxygenated water into a container (G) for subsequent consumption. It is desirable to consume the oxygenated water as soon as possible to realize the full benefits of the oxygen dissolved in water.

Abstract: A device (10) for producing and dispensing oxygenated water. A mixing unit (30) has an inlet for supplying water to the mixing unit, and an inlet for supplying oxygen to the unit. Separate control valves or devices are installed in the respective flow paths by which water and oxygen are directed to their respective inlets so to separately control the rate at which water and oxygen are supplied to it. The mixing unit includes an element (39) for dissolving oxygen supplied to the mixing unit into the water also supplied thereto, the mixing unit controlling the level of oxygen dissolution into the water. A dispenser (46) is connected to an outlet (42) of the mixing unit for dispensing oxygenated water into a container (G) for subsequent consumption. It is desirable to consume the oxygenated water as soon as possible to realize the full benefits of the oxygen dissolved in water.

Abstract: A process and system for lyophilizing a product. The product is first cooled in a cooling chamber (12) and then passed through a liquid nitrogen bath (14) where it is frozen. It is then freeze dried in a lyophilization chamber (26) during which the water or non-aqueous media is sublimated using a combination of gaseous nitrogen and vaporized nitrogen from liquid nitrogen supplied to the lyophilization chamber. Water and non-aqueous media removed from the product during sublimation is purged from the chamber. The system of the present invention provides more energy efficient operation, eliminates the use of hot oils and oil leaks, operates more reliably, and the liquid nitrogen can be used both as a refrigeration source, for heating shelves instead of hot oil and also can maintain the lyophilization temperature in case of power failure with minimum electric power supply in case of a power outage.

Abstract: A method of economically performing a fermentation process in an air lifted or mechanical fermenter with significant increase in productivity and yield. During a lag phase of the process, air is used in a fermenter (10) as organisms in a media (F) adjust to the environment in the fermenter. During a subsequent organism growth phase, only pure oxygen (O2) is supplied to the fermenter so as to provide the maximum amount of oxygen required by the organisms. During a stationary phase, an oxygen enriched environment is provided and this minimizes pure oxygen use. During a final phase of the process, regular air, but not any pure oxygen, is introduced into the fermenter. Appropriate controls are used to control both the supply of air, pure oxygen, and a combination of the two. The result is a cost effective, optimum and efficient with significant increase in productivity and yield in fermentation process.

Abstract: This work is in simplifying the freezing and heating process required for a typical lyophilization process. From a liquid nitrogen supply tank called LIN tank, calculated quantity of vaporized nitrogen is transported the use point where a heater that uses heating media heats up nitrogen to a desired temperature and pass into the annular space of the steel plate where lyophilized solvent such as water of solvent is deposited on the outer surface of the plate. The heated nitrogen temperature will dictate the rate at which the solvent or water will be thawed. This unique process offer simplicity, safety and ease operation allowing the user to avoid heating oil as heating media, a common practice in the industry.

Abstract: An improved fermentation device and method uses a combination of substantially pure Oxygen as the Oxygenation gas and a separate air (or other Oxygen reducing gas) purge through the headspace of a fermentation device. The air injection and air purge vent line are configured to maintain a backpressure within the headspace. The air purge permits improved oxygen utilization and increases safety through dilution and removal of ammonia gas emitted during fermentation.

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: The invention generally relates to the use of liquid nitrogen to displace air, or other water and/or oxygen containing atmospheres, from containers prior to filling with a highly sensitive product. The process in general has two steps: a) depositing a volume of liquid nitrogen into the cavity of an empty container and b) applying a vacuum to the cavity of the container. The vacuum will accelerate vaporization and thereby shorten the liquid nitrogen vaporization time frame. This procedure results in a highly effective one step de-oxygenation and/or de-humidification of the container cavity. Further, the evacuation ensures complete liquid nitrogen vaporization prior to product filling.

Abstract: A medical device is sterilized or sanitized by at least partially submerging it within liquid nitrogen and imparting ultrasonic energy to it.

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. 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: 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: 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.