Methods and devices for remediation and fermentation
First Claim
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1. A method of immobilizing a biocatalyst comprising:
- containing a biocatalyst in a chamber affected by a gravitational force;
rotating a chamber about a substantially horizontal rotational axis to create a centrifugal force field;
pumping a liquid medium to the chamber, wherein liquid medium creates a continuous flow of liquid, but the liquid medium does not include a gaseous phase;
wherein the continuous flow of liquid creates a force; and
regulating a hydraulic pressure of the chamber at a pressure greater than ambient barometric pressure, so that a resultant vector summation of all forces including the centrifugal force field, the liquid flow force and the gravitational force, acts on the biocatalyst such that the effect of the gravitational force on the biocatalyst is negated and reduced to a periodic vibration, and the biocatalyst being substantially immobilized at a position in the chamber by the resultant vector summation of all forces.
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Abstract
Abstract of the Invention The present invention comprises 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. One embodiment of the apparatus comprises a cruciform design. Commercial applications of the apparatus include efficient isolation of metals from ores and removal of gases.
110 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of immobilizing a biocatalyst comprising:
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containing a biocatalyst in a chamber affected by a gravitational force;
rotating a chamber about a substantially horizontal rotational axis to create a centrifugal force field;
pumping a liquid medium to the chamber, wherein liquid medium creates a continuous flow of liquid, but the liquid medium does not include a gaseous phase;
wherein the continuous flow of liquid creates a force; and
regulating a hydraulic pressure of the chamber at a pressure greater than ambient barometric pressure, so that a resultant vector summation of all forces including the centrifugal force field, the liquid flow force and the gravitational force, acts on the biocatalyst such that the effect of the gravitational force on the biocatalyst is negated and reduced to a periodic vibration, and the biocatalyst being substantially immobilized at a position in the chamber by the resultant vector summation of all forces. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeSartorius Stedim North America Inc. (Sartorius AG)
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Original AssigneeKinetic Systems Incorporated (Kinetics Holding GmbH)
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InventorsAndrews, Arlan K. Sr., Herman, Heath H., Herman, Tod M.
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Primary Examiner(s)Redding, David A.
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Application NumberUS09/316,566Time in Patent Office1,663 DaysField of Search435/41, 435/68.1, 435/70.1, 435/71.1, 435/171, 435/348, 435/366, 435/394, 435/410, 435/286.5, 435/286.7, 435/289.1, 435/813, 435/174, 435/176, 935/85, 935/87, 935/88US Class Current435/174CPC Class CodesC12M 23/58 Reaction vessels connected ...C12M 33/10 by centrifugation centrifug...C12M 33/12 by pressure
