OUR FIRST “MADE IN MALAYSIA” PILOT PLANT FERMENTORS

I have mentioned earlier that fermentation can be carried out in any vessel or container. The difference is that if fermentation are carried out in such vessels we might not end up with a proper and efficient fermentation process. Inefficiency could arise out of poor mass transfers, monitoring and lack of stringent aseptic control.
The design and building of good fermentors depends on inputs of engineers and microbiologists. It is just risky to just depend on one set of people to design and build a good fermentor.
Yes, while it is true we can build a vessel or structure that seems to be identical with well known fermentors on the market, however, that is where the similarity just ends. Functionally the fabricated fermentor could just be a failure
A few days ago I was surprised by the news that we have successfully designed and built our pilot plant fermentors. The project is the involvement of a few universities and research institutes. Large amount of money was invested in the project and the opening ceremony was even officiated by the respective Minister of the relevant department.
As I said earlier that I am not surprised we can build fermentors but more worried about the fact as to whether in depth studies have ben carried out to ensure the functionality of the fermentor built. It will be a tragic day to find out later that that there might be serious problems ‘overlooked’ in the design and construction of such fermentor.
Building fermentors require the in depth knowledge and experience of experts and specialists in the field of building fermentors. The only data that I can gleam from the article is more towards the capacity of the pilot plant fermentors. Not much or any other important technical detail were provided.
Building a fermentor is a project in science and technology. Hearsays are just not enough to convince people who wish to rent or even buy the fermentors. Don’t be surprised if such multi million dollar projects will just be underused or just become white elephants! If it happens it will be a waste of the taxpayers money.
As mentioned in this blog earlier there are a number of universities and companies which all ready have existing pilot plant facilities,,,,, almost unused and dying to look for clients to use their pilot plants.
It is most surprising the pilot plant built seems to be equipped with standard components as judged by the type of stirrers used. As we know it has always been the case of the type and rheology of the fermentation of the broth and the type of fermentation that dictates the type of fermentors used in the pilot plants. Having similar geometry in the scale up is idealistic but need not always be obligatory.
I have always wondered if the building of the pilot plants were tested and validated by standard methods? If such preliminary studies were not carried out, it will be a disaster awaiting to happen and reputation at stake.

Type rest of the post here.