The present invention relates to a processing method at acidic or neutral pH in a reactor (4) for processing lignocellulosic biomass (P), said process including a continuous cleaning phase of the reactor which comprises introducing a basic aqueous solution (EB) into said reactor containing the biomass being processed.

Provided is a cell culture apparatus including a culture vessel that stores a cell suspension containing cells; a first filter part that has a first filter membrane that performs membrane separation treatment on the cell suspension extracted from the culture vessel; a first circulation flow path that allows components blocked by the first filter membrane to return to the culture vessel; a second filter part that has a second filter membrane that performs membrane separation treatment on components of the cell suspension permeated through the first filter membrane; a second circulation flow path that allows components permeated through the second filter membrane to return to the culture vessel; and a recovery flow path that recovers components blocked by the second filter membrane. In the cell culture apparatus, an average hole diameter of the first filter membrane is 20 μm or smaller, and 0<B/A≤0.5 is satisfied in a case where an average hole diameter of the first filter membrane is A and an average hole diameter of the second filter membrane is B; or an average hole diameter of the first filter membrane is 20 μm or smaller, and the second filter membrane is an ultrafiltration membrane.

Embodiments of automated closed apparatus for cell therapy manufacturing are provided herein. In some embodiments, an automated closed apparatus for cell therapy manufacturing includes: a master device having a master controller for processing control programs for a variety of cell types; an input device fluidly coupled to the master device, wherein the input device is configured to feed an initial plurality of cells to the master device; one or more auxiliary devices each configured to perform one or more cell therapy manufacturing steps to the initial plurality of cells to form a final plurality of cells; and an output device coupled to the master device configured to collect the final plurality of cells from the master device.

Disclosed is an internally illuminated bioreactor, and related algae production methods, that employ integrated in-water grow light assemblies configured to manage the heat generated by lighting elements, such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) on the in-water grow lights. The bioreactor includes an outer shell and one or more in-water grow light fixtures positioned within the outer shell that are positioned around the perimeter of a hollow, internal tube. The lighting elements and internal tube are themselves contained within a preferably clear, exterior tube of the light fixture that allows light generated by the lighting elements to pass through to the algae culture inside of the growth chamber. A heat management system is provided for cooling the light fixture using forced directed through the hollow, internal tube from the top to the bottom of the tube, out from outlets at the bottom of the internal tube, and upward in the fixture through buoyancy of the warmed air, and thus without additional mechanical air handling devices. As the air moves upward between the lighting elements and the exterior tube, it draws additional heat away from the lighting elements. The warmed air is ultimately exhausted from the top of the lighting fixture. Each lighting fixture preferably also includes a cleaning system that enables the automated cleaning of the outer surface of the exterior tube of the lighting fixture, thus preventing newly formed algae from collecting on the lighting fixture and ensuring a continuous flow of light from the fixture into the algae culture throughout algae production.

Disclosed is an internally illuminated bioreactor, and related algae production methods, that employ integrated in-water grow light assemblies configured to manage the heat generated by lighting elements, such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) on the in-water grow lights. The bioreactor includes an outer shell and one or more in-water grow light fixtures positioned within the outer shell that are positioned around the perimeter of a hollow, internal tube. The lighting elements and internal tube are themselves contained within a preferably clear, exterior tube of the light fixture that allows light generated by the lighting elements to pass through to the algae culture inside of the growth chamber. A heat management system is provided for cooling the light fixture using forced directed through the hollow, internal tube from the top to the bottom of the tube, out from outlets at the bottom of the internal tube, and upward in the fixture through buoyancy of the warmed air, and thus without additional mechanical air handling devices. As the air moves upward between the lighting elements and the exterior tube, it draws additional heat away from the lighting elements. The warmed air is ultimately exhausted from the top of the lighting fixture. Each lighting fixture preferably also includes a cleaning system that enables the automated cleaning of the outer surface of the exterior tube of the lighting fixture, thus preventing newly formed algae from collecting on the lighting fixture and ensuring a continuous flow of light from the fixture into the algae culture throughout algae production.

A ball valve for fermentation tank includes a main body, a ball body, and a rotation mechanism. The main body encloses a chamber therein and has a first inlet, a first outlet, and a discharge port therebetween. The ball body has a flow channel with a second inlet, a second outlet, and a liquid intake port. A gap is formed between the ball body and the main body. The rotation mechanism is connected to the ball body to make it rotate. When the ball body is at an open position, the second inlet communicates the first inlet, the second outlet communicates the first outlet, and the liquid intake port communicates the gap. When the ball body is at a washing position, the second inlet and the second outlet face the gap, the liquid intake port communicates the first inlet.

Disclosed is an internally illuminated bioreactor, and related algae production methods, that employ integrated in-water grow light assemblies configured to manage the heat generated by lighting elements, such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) on the in-water grow lights. The bioreactor includes an outer shell and one or more in-water grow light fixtures positioned within the outer shell that are positioned around the perimeter of a hollow, internal tube. The lighting elements and internal tube are themselves contained within a preferably clear, exterior tube of the light fixture that allows light generated by the lighting elements to pass through to the algae culture inside of the growth chamber. A heat management system is provided for cooling the light fixture using forced directed through the hollow, internal tube from the top to the bottom of the tube, out from outlets at the bottom of the internal tube, and upward in the fixture through buoyancy of the warmed air, and thus without additional mechanical air handling devices. As the air moves upward between the lighting elements and the exterior tube, it draws additional heat away from the lighting elements. The warmed air is ultimately exhausted from the top of the lighting fixture. Each lighting fixture preferably also includes a cleaning system that enables the automated cleaning of the outer surface of the exterior tube of the lighting fixture, thus preventing newly formed algae from collecting on the lighting fixture and ensuring a continuous flow of light from the fixture into the algae culture throughout algae production.

Provided is a cell culture apparatus including a culture vessel that stores a cell suspension containing cells; a first filter part that has a first filter membrane that performs membrane separation treatment on the cell suspension extracted from the culture vessel; a first circulation flow path that allows components blocked by the first filter membrane to return to the culture vessel; a second filter part that has a second filter membrane that performs membrane separation treatment on components of the cell suspension permeated through the first filter membrane; a second circulation flow path that allows components permeated through the second filter membrane to return to the culture vessel; and a recovery flow path that recovers components blocked by the second filter membrane. In the cell culture apparatus, an average hole diameter of the first filter membrane is 20 .Math.m or smaller, and 0 < B/A ≤ 0.5 is satisfied in a case where an average hole diameter of the first filter membrane is A and an average hole diameter of the second filter membrane is B; or an average hole diameter of the first filter membrane is 20 .Math.m or smaller, and the second filter membrane is an ultrafiltration membrane.

A sampling device includes a sampling channel, a detection unit and a sample introduction channel. A cell culturing device or the sample introduction channel includes an aseptic filter in a section before the sampling channel. A sampling method includes a sampling step for introducing the sample from the culturing device and detecting the sample by the detection unit and an adhering substance removal step for removing an adhering substance adhering to the aseptic filter by allowing a fluid to flow from the sampling channel to the sample introduction channel.

A bioreactor cleaning system for cleaning a bioreactor in a rail vehicle, comprising a first suction connection, a second suction connection, a flushing connection, an acid tank, a collection tank for receiving liquid drawn out of the bioreactor, a fresh water connection, a pump with a first pump connection and a second pump connection, and a measuring unit for measuring liquid. By means of the pump liquid can be pumped from the first suction connection optionally into the measuring unit, into the collection tank or into the acid tank, aqueous acid solution can be pumped from the acid tank to the second suction connection and/or to the flushing connection; fresh water can be pumped from the fresh water connection selectively to the flushing connection or the measuring unit; and liquid can be pumped from the measuring unit either to the collection tank or to the second suction connection.