GB2464303A - Incubator for plant cell biofuel production - Google Patents

Incubator for plant cell biofuel production Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2464303A
GB2464303A GB0818594A GB0818594A GB2464303A GB 2464303 A GB2464303 A GB 2464303A GB 0818594 A GB0818594 A GB 0818594A GB 0818594 A GB0818594 A GB 0818594A GB 2464303 A GB2464303 A GB 2464303A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
tube
tissue
incubator according
tissue incubator
port
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0818594A
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GB0818594D0 (en
Inventor
Geoffrey Robert Dixon
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ECO-RECLAIM LIMITED
Original Assignee
ECO RECLAIM Ltd
NATURALLY SCIENT LLP
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Priority to GB0818594A priority Critical patent/GB2464303A/en
Publication of GB0818594D0 publication Critical patent/GB0818594D0/en
Publication of GB2464303A publication Critical patent/GB2464303A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12MAPPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M31/00Means for providing, directing, scattering or concentrating light
    • C12M31/10Means for providing, directing, scattering or concentrating light by light emitting elements located inside the reactor, e.g. LED or OLED
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12MAPPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M1/00Apparatus for enzymology or microbiology
    • C12M1/002Photo bio reactors
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12MAPPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M21/00Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
    • C12M21/02Photobioreactors
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12MAPPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M21/00Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses
    • C12M21/12Bioreactors or fermenters specially adapted for specific uses for producing fuels or solvents
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12MAPPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/02Form or structure of the vessel
    • C12M23/06Tubular
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12MAPPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
    • C12M23/00Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
    • C12M23/46Means for fastening

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)

Abstract

A plant cell incubator comprises a transparent vertical elongate sealed vessel 2 and a light source 3 wherein the elongate sealed vessel comprises, at its base, a port 4 with tap 4A suitable for carbon dioxide addition, a drain with tap 5 and a further port 6 with tap 6A suitable for the addition of nutrients. The elongate vessel further comprises, at its top, port 7 and tap 7A suitable for oxygen release and port 8 with tap 8A suitable for liquid release. In use a plant cell culture maintained in vessel 2 would be agitated by a carbon dioxide stream entering through port 4. With the provision of light, photosynthesis would occur, leading to the generation of oxygen and the production of a liquid product such as fuel oil which would accumulate at X such that it might be decanted and harvested via port 8. Excess biomass and waste may be released via the drain. A bank (figure 2) comprising a plurality of incubators may be assembled within stackable support frame 10.

Description

Title: Tissue Incubator The present invention relates to a tissue incubator, and especially to a plant tissue incubator which can enable production plant tissue cell in large commercial quantities.
Traditional methods of cultivating tissue cell cultures have been mainly focussed on research activities and pharmaceutical requirements, cultivating on solid growth media in open trays in a clean room environment. This traditional method produces small quantities of cell cultures and is not suited to industrial scale applications.
Other methods of producing cell cultures in large vessels in liquid media are known but these suffer from the following problems. As the vessels get larger, pressure at the lower end of the vessel adversely affects cell growth. Light required for photosynthesis will not penetrate to the centre of the vessel. Large vessels are difficult to sterilise and require more energy to sterilise them. Efficient material handling becomes more difficult as asceptic techniques are required which require large investment in environmental control to ensure no contamination from micro-organisms. Monitoring of the quality of the culture medium becomes more difficult as ensuring the mixture is homogenous becomes more difficult with greater volumes. Control of consistent aeration across the culture medium is difficult resulting in cell death if too little aeration, or cessation of reaction if there is too much aeration.
The invention seeks to provide an incubator for large scale production. The incubator may be used to grow cells which may be used for the production of bio fuels.
According to the present invention there is provided a tissue incubator comprising: a) at least one tranlucent elongate sealed tube adapted to be supported substantially vertically with a top end and a bottom end, b) a light source adjacent the or each tube, c) a gas inlet port adjacent the bottom of the or each tube, d) a drain for cultivated tissue culture adjacent the bottom of the or each tube, e) a nutrient inlet port adjacent the bottom of the or each tube, f) an gas outlet port adjacent the top of the or each tube, and g) an liquid outlet port adjacent the top of the or each tube, in use cell culture can be grown in the or each tube with C02 being fed in through the gas inlet port and nutrients through the nutrient inlet port, the nutrients and C02 being converted into cell tissue by the culture with light from the light source, and 02 and liquid by-product produced by the culture being drawn off from the gas outlet and liquid outlet respectively, said drain being used to drain excess cultivated tissue culture.
Preferably the light source runs substantially along the length of the or each tube.
Preferably the gas inlet has a one way flow valve. Preferably the liquid outlet has a one way flow valve. The or each flow valve may control flow rate.
Preferably the gas outlet has an one way flow valve. Preferably the nutrient inlet has an one way flow valve. The or each flow valve may control flow rate.
Preferably the or each tube is transparent. Preferably the or each tube is hermetically sealed and sterilised prior to use.
Preferably the drain has a control tap.
Preferably seven tubes are provided with a central tube and six radially spaced outer tubes around the central tube. Preferable six light source are provide each between the central tube and an adjacent pair of outer tubes. Preferable each light source is a neon light source providing light at natural wavelengths.
The or each tube may be supported in a frame. Preferably a frame is stackable whereby one frame can be secure above or alongside another frame.
The invention also relates to a method of cell culture growth using the above defined tissue incubator.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a single incubator, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of seven incubators of Figure 1 in a frame.
Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a tissue incubator I. Incubator 1 has a translucent, e.g. transparent, elongate sealed tube 2 adapted to be supported substantially vertically with a top end 2B and a bottom end 2A. Tube 2 is hermetically sealed and sterilised prior to use. Tube 2 may be formed from high impact polycarbonate or other material impervious to liquids and which allows passage of light in naturally occurring wavelengths. Each tube may typically be 2.2 metres high with an internal diameter of 400mm.
A light source in the form of a neon light 3 is provided adjacent tube 2 and runs substantially along the length of tube 2. Neon light 3 provides light at natural wavelengths for the contents of tube 2.
A gas inlet port 4 is provided adjacent the bottom end 2A of the tube 2. Gas is delivered to port 4 through a one way valve 4A which also controls flow rate.
A drain with control tap 5 is provided for draining cultivated tissue culture adjacent the bottom end 2A of the tube.
A nutrient inlet port 6 is provided adjacent the bottom end 2A of the tube 2 in the side wall above port 4 and drain 5. Nutrients are delivered to port 6 through a one way valve 6A which also controls flow rate.
A gas outlet port 7 is provided adjacent the top end 2B of the tube 2. Gas exits port 7 through a one way valve 7A which also controls flow rate.
A liquid outlet port 8 is provided adjacent the top end 2B of the tube 2 in the side wall below port 7. Outlet port 8 leads to a one way valve 8A which also controls flow rate.
In use cell culture can be grown in tube 2. Each tube contains a nutrient mixture suitable for sustained growth of plant tissue cell cultures. Filtered C02, e.g. filtered to.2 microns, is fed in through the gas inlet port 4 and replacement nutrients through the nutrient inlet port 6. The filtering of C02 ensures that contamination does not occur. The nutrients and C02 are converted into cell tissue by the culture with light from the light source, and 02 and liquid by-product produced by the culture can be drawn off from the gas outlet 7 and liquid outlet 8 respectively. Drain 5 can be used to drain excess cultivated tissue culture. The flow of gas through the tube creates a gentle movement in the liquid providing a homogenous mixture of culture and cdls and optimal growing conditions.
It is envisaged that a cell culture of oil producing cells would be grown and oil would form as a layer "X and be extracted from outlet 8. Such a biological process is described in co-pending UK patent application No GB08076 19.2, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
When incubators as shown in Figure 1 are used in an industrial scale it is envisaged that a cluster of such incubators would be assembled and supported in a frame. Such frames could stacked in side by side relationship and on top of each other to make maximum use of space in a building. A cluster of incubators in a frame are shown in Figure 2.
Referring to Figure 2 seven tubes 2 of the type shown in Figure 1 are provided. One tube 2 forms a central tube and six radially spaced outer tubes 2 are provided around the central tube.
Six light sources 3 are provide each between the central tube and an adjacent pair of outer tubes. Gas outlets 7 for each tube are shown, but each tube would also have (not shown) an inlet 4, and 6 and outlet 8 with respective one way valves 4A,6B and 8A which control flow rate, as well as a drain 5.
The seven tubes are supported in a rectangular frame 10. Frame 10 is stackable whereby one frame can be secure above or alongside another frame. Frame 10 includes a lower platform 11 on which the tubes 2 sit, and a tube retaining frame 12 to support the upper ends of tubes 2.
The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.
Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing form the scope of the present invention.

Claims (17)

  1. CLAIMS1. A tissue incubator comprising: a) at least one translucent elongate sealed tube adapted to be supported substantially vertically with a top end and a bottom end, b) a light source adjacent the or each tube, c) a gas inlet port adjacent the bottom of the or each tube, d) a drain for cultivated tissue culture adjacent the bottom of the or each tube, e) a nutrient inlet port adjacent the bottom of the or each tube, f) an gas outlet port adjacent the top of the or each tube, and g) an liquid outlet port adjacent the top of the or each tube, in use cell culture can be grown in the or each tube with C02 being fed in through the gas inlet port and nutrients through the nutrient inlet port, the nutrients and C02 being converted into cell tissue by the culture with light from the light source, and 02 and liquid by-product produced by the culture being drawn off from the gas outlet and liquid outlet respectively, said drain being used to drain excess cultivated tissue culture.
  2. 2. A tissue incubator according to claim 1, wherein the light source runs substantially along the length of the or each tube.
  3. 3. A tissue incubator according to claim I or 2, wherein the gas inlet has a one way flow valve.
  4. 4. A tissue incubator according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the liquid outlet has a one way flow valve.
  5. 5. A tissue incubator according to any preceding claim, wherein the gas outlet has an one way flow valve.
  6. 6. A tissue incubator according to any preceding claim, wherein the nutrient inlet has an one way flow valve.
  7. 7. A tissue incubator according to any of claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein the or each flow valve may control flow rate.
  8. 8. A tissue incubator according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each tube is translucent.
  9. 9. A tissue incubator according to any preceding claim, wherein each tube is hermetically sealed and/or sterilised prior to use.
  10. 10. A tissue incubator according to any preceding claim, wherein the drain has a control tap.
  11. 11. A tissue incubator according to any preceding claim, wherein seven tubes are provided with a central tube and six radially spaced outer tubes around the central tube.
  12. 12. A tissue incubator according to claim 11, wherein six light sources are provide each between the central tube and an adjacent pair of outer tubes.
  13. 13. A tissue incubator according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each light source is a neon light source providing light at natural wavelengths.
  14. 14. A tissue incubator according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each tube may be supported in a frame.15. A tissue incubator according to claim 14, wherein a frame is stackable whereby one frame can be secure above or alongside another frame.
  15. 15. A tissue incubator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
  16. 16. A method of cell culture growth using a tissue incubator according to any preceding claim.
  17. 17. A method of cell culture growth substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
GB0818594A 2008-10-10 2008-10-10 Incubator for plant cell biofuel production Withdrawn GB2464303A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0818594A GB2464303A (en) 2008-10-10 2008-10-10 Incubator for plant cell biofuel production

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0818594A GB2464303A (en) 2008-10-10 2008-10-10 Incubator for plant cell biofuel production

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GB2464303A true GB2464303A (en) 2010-04-14

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013053779A1 (en) * 2011-10-10 2013-04-18 DASGIP Information and Process Technology GmbH Biotechnological apparatus comprising a bioreactor, exhaust gas temperature control device for a bioreactor and a method for treating an exhaust gas stream in a biotechnological apparatus

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3504185A (en) * 1968-05-09 1970-03-31 Univ Syracuse Res Corp Apparatus for measuring and controlling cell population density in a liquid medium
US4952511A (en) * 1987-06-11 1990-08-28 Martek Corporation Photobioreactor
DE19611855C1 (en) * 1996-03-26 1997-08-21 Tramm Werner Sabine Dr Rer Nat Photo-bio-reactor producing hydrogen, oxygen and biomass from sunlight
EP1041153A1 (en) * 1997-12-22 2000-10-04 Quinta dos Ingleses, Agro-Industria, Lda. Cheese whey treatment and valorisation process with continuous ethanolic fermentation

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3504185A (en) * 1968-05-09 1970-03-31 Univ Syracuse Res Corp Apparatus for measuring and controlling cell population density in a liquid medium
US4952511A (en) * 1987-06-11 1990-08-28 Martek Corporation Photobioreactor
DE19611855C1 (en) * 1996-03-26 1997-08-21 Tramm Werner Sabine Dr Rer Nat Photo-bio-reactor producing hydrogen, oxygen and biomass from sunlight
EP1041153A1 (en) * 1997-12-22 2000-10-04 Quinta dos Ingleses, Agro-Industria, Lda. Cheese whey treatment and valorisation process with continuous ethanolic fermentation

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013053779A1 (en) * 2011-10-10 2013-04-18 DASGIP Information and Process Technology GmbH Biotechnological apparatus comprising a bioreactor, exhaust gas temperature control device for a bioreactor and a method for treating an exhaust gas stream in a biotechnological apparatus
US10717960B2 (en) 2011-10-10 2020-07-21 Dasgip Information And Technology Gmbh Biotechnological apparatus comprising a bioreactor, exhaust gas temperature control device for a bioreactor and a method for treating an exhaust gas stream in a biotechnological apparatus

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Publication number Publication date
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Owner name: ECO-RECLAIM LIMITED

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