BIOT 476 |
| A reliable, efficient and scalable disposable mixing technology is required to transition single-use storage bags to disposable processing vessels. The LevTech LevMixer System (DB-200) incorporates a sterile single-use impeller which is levitated and rotated inside of biobags without the use of troublesome shafts, seals or bearings. This technology is based on a detachable superconductive drive unit that provides levitation and rotation of a magnetic impeller located inside of bags of varied sizes, shapes and configurations. This superconductive technology provides a completely disposable mixing platform with the convenience and torque of conventional bottom driven magnetic mixers as well as unparalleled grind-free and friction-free cleanliness. Unlike the impeller of traditional magnetically driven mixers, the levitating impeller requires no component that comes in physical contact with the bag and thus eliminates any particle shedding and mechanical stress to the bag film. In this presentation the results of powder dissolution tests and fluid-in-fluid mixing are presented for mixing bag volumes ranging from 50L to 2,000L with varied impeller sizes and locations. In these studies it is found that aspect ratio of the retaining tank (H/D) produces great effect on the mixing time. As a result of these studies a set of optimal powder mixing bag designs ranging form 50L to 1,000L have already been commercialized.
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Downstream Processing: Disposable Bioprocessing
2:00 PM-4:20 PM, Thursday, August 23, 2007 BCEC -- 106, Oral
Division of Biochemical Technology |