Construction of a large scale membrane reactor system with different compartments for cells, medium and product.

A flat membrane reactor system has been designed where different membranes separate cells from medium and cells from product, respectively. By the use of this system the product can be enriched and partially purified within the reactor. Like other membrane systems perfect protection from mechanical stress of surface adherent as well as suspension type-cells is achieved. The scale up of the design is possible in a wide range. The prototype construction corresponds to a conventional reactor of appr. 300 l and contains a membrane area of 25 m2. Beside the three chamber operation mode it is possible to operate the system as a two chamber reactor. With slightly modified gaskets the reactor resembles a new type of tube reactor, where the cells can be refed on their way through the 50 m long tube.