An index for microcarrier dispersion inside a horizontally rotating bioreactor for animal cell culture

Abstract

An index of particle dispersion is used to quantify the degree of particle dispersion inside the horizontally rotating bioreactor. Resin particles were suspended inside a horizontally rotating cylinder. The states of particle dispersion were observed and recorded on video, from which data the index of particle dispersion was calculated. The effect of the operating parameters particle concentration and cylinder rotational speed on the state of particle dispersion were described using the index. By comparing the quantitative and qualitative classifications of particle dispersion it was confirmed that the new index does reflect the degree of particle dispersion. From the comparison it can also be concluded that if the index is greater than 0.96, the particle distribution can be considered uniform.