2 Introduction

2.1 MINIFOR Design concept

LAMBDA MINIFOR fermentor-bioreactor, designed for bench-top surfaces in laboratories is suitable for volumes from as low as 35 ml to 6.5 l.

LAMBDA MINIFOR fermentor - bioreactor has been designed such that several of these can be placed side by side and are well suited for the optimization of bio-transformations and growth parameters of the culture. LAMBDA MINIFOR takes up the minimum amount of space on the laboratory benches and allows having good access to all parts of the unit.

MINIFOR can be used either to work independently or it can be connected directly with a PC to control it remotely and for extensive data treatment, regulation and storage.

Several innovations and new ideas have been introduced.

• For many years, the whole glass vessels have been used in cell cultures and proven to maintain perfect sterility, we have used this idea in our fermentor / bioreactor.

• The agitation system is based on up-and-down movement. The agitator system has a motor with a membrane ensuring sterility and efficient mixing without forming a vortex (thus no baffles are needed). The bio-mimicking 'fish-tail' stirring discs offer maximum efficiency without cutting edges; they mix the cells gently and produce less foam.

• The culture is heated by 'sun-like' radiation with a gold reflector and a parabolic radiator under the vessel to maintain the temperature precisely

• Compact unit, without a casing tower, it is possible to measure and control six parameters with the use of its modern microprocessor stored at the front of the instrument.

2.1.1 MINIFOR Advanced and Start-up Kit

LAMBDA MINIFOR fermentor-bioreactor system includes the Advanced and Start-up kit.

Table 1 Short overview of LAMBDA MINIFOR ADVANCED KIT and MINIFOR START-UP KIT

Lambda Minifor	Advanced Kit	Start-up Kit
Reactor scale	Laboratory bench-top fermentor and bioreactor
Reactor design	Stirred Tank
Operation mode	batch, fed-batch*, continuous*, (perfusion*)
Parameter control	stirrer speed, temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, airflow, free parameter, level control for continuous mode.
* Optional Parameter control *	weight control for continuous mode, antifoam, REDOX, LUMO (light)
Microprocessor With internal software, display and keypad	yes	yes
Agitation Automatic stirrer controller 0, 0.1, 0.2, …., 19.9, 20 Hz min. 0 Hz ( = 0 rpm) max. 20 Hz ( = 1200 rpm)	yes	yes
Measurement whole range 0 - 20 Hz	yes	yes
Temperature Automatic temperature control from 5 °C over RT to 70 °C	yes	yes
Measurement with Pt100 from 0 to 99.9 °C in 0.1 °C steps	yes	yes
IR (infrared) heater	yes	yes
Cooling loop	yes	yes
pH Automatic pH controller 0 - 13	yes	yes
Measurement with pH probe 0 -13	yes	yes
Acid pump (PRECIFLOW)	yes	optional
Base pump (PRECIFLOW)	yes	optional
Holders and rods for the pumps	yes	optional
Storage vessels and lines for acid and for base	yes	optional
DO (pO2)
>Automatic DO controller (proportional) 0 - 25 mg Oxygen/L (in 0.1 mg steps)	yes	yes
Measurement with DO probe 0 - 25 mg Oxygen/L (in 0.1 mg steps)	yes	optional
Airflow Automatic aeration controller (proportional) 0 - 5 L/min in 0.01 L/min steps	yes	yes
Measurement with internal Massflow 0 - 5 L/min in 0.01 L/min steps	yes	yes
Free Parameter Automatic controller, socket, display	yes	yes
AlertsFor high and low values of each parameter	yes	yes
Overpressure valve	yes	yes
Sampling device	yes	optional
Cooling device for outlet gas	yes	yes
PC-software (FNet, SIAM), Laptop	optional	optional
Feed and harvest pump: PRECIFLOW / MULTIFLOW / HiFLOW / MAXIFLOW / VIT-FIT / VIT-FIT HP, pump INTEGRATORS	optional	optional
WEIGHING MODULE for continuous mode	optional	optional
automatic Antifoam-system (ANTIFO & DOZITO)	optional	optional
O2-enrichment / 4-gas-mix: controller and massflows MASSFLOW 500 /MASSFLOW 5000	optional	optional
Air compressor AEROSILENTO	optional	optional
REDOX probe, controller, pump / massflow	optional	optional
PELTIER COOLER for medium / off-gas	optional	optional
LUMO light and controller for PBR	optional	optional
Operation manual and video	yes	yes
Warranty	2 years