A low maintenance, cost-effective modular bioreactor system for microbial applications.
Each module, although totally independent, can stack together to create an extremely neat, combined control system. They are also available individually, enabling specific control functionality to be used with your existing bioreactors, spinner flasks etc.
Each module, although totally independent, can stack together to create an extremely neat, combined control system. They are also available individually, enabling specific control functionality to be used with your existing bioreactors, spinner flasks etc.
The FerMac 200 series offers a real alternative to our competitors with a truly modular system approach. Each module, although totally independent, can stack together to create an extremely neat, combined unit with inter-linking power cables.
The controllers are easy to understand and simple to use - ideal for projects where equipment familiarisation time may be limited - and because the modules are totally independent, they can also easily be used to upgrade older equipment.
The FerMac 200 has one of the lowest purchase and maintenance costs in the industry, allowing you to get the most from a limited budget.
The FerMac 231 Temperature and Agitation control module is equipped with a powerful direct drive DC motor – the same type as used with the FerMac 320 series. Uniquely, the motor locking system also tightens as the motor drives harder, preventing vibration and enabling the agitator to work with the most viscous of media. Agitation speed is easily set by a single control knob.
Temperature control is achieved using an industry standard Pt100 sensor for stable measurement with the temperature displayed on an LED display. A single push switch changes the display to read the set point parameters.
The bioreactor is heated by a wrap-around silicone heater blanket which operates at low voltage, making it safe to use in the wet laboratory environment. It can easily be wiped clean if it becomes soiled, and we are able to produce special heater jackets (or mats) on request for your specific purpose.
Cooling is on demand, operated by a valve mounted on a separate service plate and enables cooling water to circulate through the heat exchanger. Water and electrics are kept strictly segregated.
If agitation control is not required (such as with our Air-Lift bioreactors), the FerMac 240 Temperature control module is suitable.
Using the same system of industry standard Pt100 sensor and low voltage heater as the FerMac 231, the FerMac 240 is supplied as separate temperature controller only.
Both the Pt100 and wrap-around heater can be modified to suit different vessel types and designs, and the module can drive a low-voltage water solenoid valve for when process cooling is required.
For use where the experimental process can cause corrosion, or where metals in the vessel can have an effect on results, we have designed and produced several fermenter vessels which have no stainless steel parts in contact with the media. All such parts are made either from glass or PEEK™ (Polyetherether Ketone).
After temperature, pH is the most relevant parameter to measure and control in the majority of microbial processes.
The FerMac 260 features a high impedance integrated amplifier to ensure accurate measurement of pH and to enable the majority of industry standard mV pH sensors to be used.
The pH controller uses peristaltic pumps for the addition of liquid acid or base, as required.
The FerMac 251 Oxygen control module is able to measure the partial pressure air/oxygen in solution (dO). It is compatible with industry standard stainless steel polarographic dO electrodes, or certain optical sensors, such as the Hamilton VisiFerm ECS series.
The FerMac 280 Foam/Level Controller is used with a height-adjustable conductivity sensor and is switchable for either foam or level control. The addition pump can also be used on a timer basis. Foam is controlled by dosing using an integral peristaltic pump which gives a shot of anti-foam, and then allows a delay time for the foam to subside before the next shot is applied.
When switched to level control, the feed pump is active until the sensor detects the liquid level, then it stops. Should the bioreactor level subsequently drop, the pump will be re-activated accordingly. If used as a feed pump, the shot and delay timers can be set to control the output of the pump against time.
If you have any questions or require more information about the FerMac 200 then please get in touch.
Temperature & agitation control module
Temperature controller
Oxygen controller
pH Controller
Foam/Level controller