Centrifugal fermentation process
First Claim
1. A method of producing secreted products from a biocatalyst comprising containing the biocatalyst in at least one chamber in a centrifugal force field wherein a continuous flow of a liquid acts to create a force which opposes the centrifugal force field and wherein a gravitational force contributes to the resultant vector summation of all forces acting on the biocatalyst, wherein the gravitational force, the centrifugal force and the opposing liquid force substantially immobilize the biocatalyst at a position in the chamber, the liquid is at hydraulic pressures greater than ambient pressure, and wherein no gaseous phase is present in said chamber, wherein the biocatalyst produces secreted products.
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Abstract
The present invention comprises a novel culture methods and devices in which living cells or subcellular biocatalysts are immobilized by the opposition of forces. The immobilized cells or biocatalysts may be attached to support complexes that add to the resultant vector forces.
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Citations
16 Claims
- 1. A method of producing secreted products from a biocatalyst comprising containing the biocatalyst in at least one chamber in a centrifugal force field wherein a continuous flow of a liquid acts to create a force which opposes the centrifugal force field and wherein a gravitational force contributes to the resultant vector summation of all forces acting on the biocatalyst, wherein the gravitational force, the centrifugal force and the opposing liquid force substantially immobilize the biocatalyst at a position in the chamber, the liquid is at hydraulic pressures greater than ambient pressure, and wherein no gaseous phase is present in said chamber, wherein the biocatalyst produces secreted products.
- 8. A method of removing contaminants from a liquid comprising containing a biocatalyst in at least one chamber in a centrifugal force field wherein a continuous flow of the liquid acts to create a force which opposes the centrifugal force field and wherein a gravitational force contributes to the resultant vector summation of all forces acting on the biocatalyst, wherein the gravitational force, the centrifugal force and the opposing liquid force substantially immobilize the biocatalyst at a position in the chamber, the liquid is at hydraulic pressures greater than ambient pressure, and wherein no gaseous phase is present in said chamber, wherein the biocatalyst removes contaminants from the liquid.
Specification