Chapter 9: Instrumentation on

Bioreactor
Architecture of Bioreactor
Control System
 Computer Applications in
Fermentation
3 levels involved:

1. Logging (sensor-computer interface)

2. Data Analysis (Reduction of logged data)

3. Process Control (Signal from computer to pumps,

switches, valves via interfaces)
Manual vs. Automatic
Oscillatory Pattern
Typical Controlled Plant Response
Rpm, pH, pO2 % Air flowrate Profiles
Temperature & pH Profiles
Sensors/Probes/Electrodes
Process Sensors and their possible
control functions
Category Sensor Possible control function
Chemical pH Acid/alkali addition, carbon source
feed rate
Redox Additives to change redox potential
Oxygen Change feed rate
Exit gas analysis Change feed rate
Medium analysis Change in medium composition

Physical Temperature Heat/cool

Pressure
Agitator shaft
power
Rpm
Foam Foam control
Weight Change flow rate
Flowrate Change flow rate
A. Chemical Sensors

1. Potentiometric Electrodes
2. Amperometric Electrodes
 1. Amperometric Electrodes
Example: oxygen electrode

It consists of an oxygen permeable membrane covering

a platinum cathode.

The cathode is kept at constant potential.

As the sample oxygen diffuses through the membrane, it

is reduced at the cathode, consuming electrons.

This change in current flow is directly proportional to the

oxygen concentration in the sample.
 1. Amperometric Electrodes
Cathode reaction:
O2+H2O+4e4OH-

Anode reaction:
4Ag+4Cl- 4AgCl+4e
Amperometric Electrode: Biosensor

Utilize biochemical reaction to

determine a specific compound

An immobilized enzyme or cell is

combined with transducer to monitor a
specific change in the environment
Examples of Biosensors

Glucose, Glutamine, glutamate,

lactate biosensors that have
immobilized enzymes in their
membranes
Glucose Biosensor
How biosensor works?

In the presence of oxygen and the

substrate, the enzyme membrane
produces H2O2, which is then
oxidized at the platinum anode held
at constant potential.

The resulting flow of electrons and

current change is proportional to the
sample concentration
 Applications of biosensors
Measured Biocatalyst/ Application
variable enzyme
Glucose Glucose oxidase General fermentation control
Sucrose Glucose oxidase General fermentation control
Starches Glucose oxidase General fermentation control
Ethanol Ethanol oxidase Alcohol & yeast production
Penicillin Beta-lactamase Antibiotic production
Amino acids Amino acid oxidase General food production
Phenols Polyphenol oxidase Chloroform production
Pyruvates Pyruvate oxidase Milk production
 Challenges in Biosensor
Development
1. Inability to be steam-sterilized

2. Interactions with media & substrate components that

lead to failure

3. Membranes become impermeable

4. Sensitivity to variations in the physical environment

5. Inability to be utilized in situ

 2. Potentiometric electrodes
They measure charged ions and have a sensing
membrane that is selective to the ion being measured.

The membrane potential is directly proportional to the

logarithm of the concentration of the ion being
measured.

pH, pCO2, NH4+, Na+, Acetate-

RT
Em Eo 2.303 log ao
nF
pH probe: two half cells

Sensing element: a silver chloride

coated silver wire immersed in a buffer
solution, usually pH 7, in a sealed tube
with a pH sensitive glass tip.

Reference element: silver chloride

coated silver wire in a KCl solution, and
a porous diaphragm.
Potentiometric Electrode: pH probe
The reference electrode is in the
annular region, and the sensing
electrode is the bulb and stem element

Theory: the galvanic cell is formed

when two metal conductors are
connected via one or more electrolytes

E 0.1984(T 273.2)(7 pH )
Analytical Instrumentation
 Common Analyzers

1. Mass Spectrometer

2. UV-Vis Spectrophotometer

3. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Mass Spectrometer (MS)
 How MS works?
A sample stream is ionized and then directed into a
magnetic field

The ions are deflected to an extent that depends on their

ratio of charge to mass, and strike one of several Faraday
collectors.

The signal from each collector is proportional to the mass

of the particular ion.

A microprocessor then computes the composition of the

sample stream.
All in One!!