Disclosed are processing systems and processes for carrying out enzymatic batchwise or continuous process for the production of fatty acid alkyl esters for use in the biofuels, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and detergents industries.

A method for operating a clarification setup of a bioprocess installation, which clarification setup comprises a fluidized bed centrifuge and a pumping arrangement, wherein the fluidized bed centrifuge comprises at least one centrifuge chamber turned around a geometrical centrifuge axis, wherein the bioprocess installation comprises an electronic process control for controlling the fluidized bed centrifuge and pumping arrangement, wherein the fluidized bed centrifuge is being operated in a forward operation for a particle loading cycle and/or a particle washing cycle and in a backward operation for a particle discharging cycle, wherein in case where a particle loading cycle is provided, cell broth loaded into the centrifuge chamber proceeds to form a growing particle accumulation in the centrifuge chamber, wherein the clarification setup comprises a monitoring sensor arrangement with at least one optical sensor for producing monitoring sensor data, which are being transmitted to the electronic process control.

A method for operating a clarification setup, wherein the clarification setup comprises a fluidized bed centrifuge, wherein the fluidized bed centrifuge comprises at least two centrifuge chambers, wherein the fluidized bed centrifuge is being operated in a forward operation for a particle loading cycle and/or a particle washing cycle and in a backward operation for a particle discharging cycle wherein the clarification setup comprises a monitoring sensor arrangement with at least one sensor for producing monitoring sensor data, which are being transmitted to the electronic process control. In a monitoring routine, monitoring sensor data are being produced individually by the monitoring sensor arrangement and that during the loading cycle, in an adjusting routine, at least one parameter of the clarification setup is being adjusted based on the monitoring sensor data as to control the loading of the cell broth the centrifuge chambers individually according to a predefined adjusting strategy.

Bioconversion processes are disclosed in which biocatalysts including microorganisms or isolated enzymes that are substantially irreversibly retained in the interior of an open, porous, highly hydrophilic polymer are cycled between at least two different fluid media for the bioconversion of one or more substrates to one or more bioproducts. The processes are particularly attractive for using gas phase or using liquid feedstocks containing the substrate.

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a combined polymeric structure are disclosed. The apparatus includes an extruder body (110), a die (120) configured to receive flowing polymeric material from the extruder body (110) and a motion unit. The die includes a hollow inner die (122), a protecting sleeve (124) located within the inner die (122) and an outer die (125) located at an exit (128) end of the hollow inner die (122). The motion unit is configured to cause bidirectional translational motion of the hollow inner die (122) relative to the outer die (125).

Bioconversion processes are disclosed in which biocatalysts including microorganisms or isolated enzymes that are substantially irreversibly retained in the interior of an open, porous, highly hydrophilic polymer are cycled between at least two different fluid media for the bioconversion of one or more substrates to one or more bioproducts. The processes are particularly attractive for using gas phase or using liquid feedstocks containing the substrate.

A compressible biomass carrier for use in fluid treatment systems is disclosed. The biomass carrier includes an extruded circumferential mesh-like structure and elongated elements positioned in a space confined by the circumferential mesh-like structure and at least some of the elongated elements are joined to an inner portion of the mesh-like structure.

Methods and systems are disclosed for manipulating inert materials and biomaterials, including cell cultures, to efficiently form effective cell beds while preventing excess flow through of cells to permeate waste during bioprocessing. Gentle centrifugation concentrates a large volume of cells produced from bioreactors into the desired concentrated volume and cell density. When cells pass through the centrifuge, the majority fraction of cells are retained in the centrifuge disposable chamber pods as a cell bed. A recirculation loop redirects the remaining minority fraction of cells back to the cell bag instead of proceeding to waste. This prevents initial cell loss during cell bed formation in the chamber pods, increases overall cell yields at harvest, and conserves materials, for example. Growing and harvesting natural killer cells, in particular, increased yields by over 30% when the recirculation loop was employed.

Methods and systems are disclosed for manipulating inert materials and biomaterials, including cell cultures, to efficiently form effective cell beds while preventing excess flow through of cells to permeate waste during bioprocessing. Gentle centrifugation concentrates a large volume of cells produced from bioreactors into the desired concentrated volume and cell density. When cells pass through the centrifuge, the majority fraction of cells are retained in the centrifuge disposable chamber pods as a cell bed. A recirculation loop redirects the remaining minority fraction of cells back to the cell bag instead of proceeding to waste. This prevents initial cell loss during cell bed formation in the chamber pods, increases overall cell yields at harvest, and conserves materials, for example. Growing and harvesting natural killer cells, in particular, increased yields by over 30% when the recirculation loop was employed.