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Publication Number
US-10435663-B2
Publication Date
2019-10-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
This disclosure describes an improved heat transfer system for use in reaction vessels used in chemical and biological processes. In one embodiment, a heat transfer baffle comprising two sub-assemblies adjoined to one another is provided.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an improved sanitary heat-transfer baffle system for a reaction vessel used for chemical and biological processes, including biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The baffle system includes distribution channels for circulating heat-transfer media and one or more relief channels that are vented to the vessel exterior. Heat-transfer performance is characterized using overall heat transfer coefficient U in agitated vessel operation.
Each heat transfer baffle is formed from at least one subassembly comprising two distribution channels formed between a first material and a support material, and at least one relief channel. A closure bar having an adjustable width determines the width of the relief channel and is fixably attached to the support material. The support material is attached to the reaction vessel at a substantially seamless boundary, enabling sanitary construction.
The baffle arrangement supports structural reinforcement, leak/pressure safety features, and cleanability with sanitization systems referenced in the document, including clean-in-place and sterilize-in-place. The baffle system can include multi-zone circulation through compartments, with inlet and outlet header arrangements for distributing and collecting heat-transfer media. Documented examples include agitated operation in a vertical cylindrical vessel and tests comparing overall heat transfer coefficient U against conventional jacket and coil/tube systems.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims define the core claim coverage. The first independent claim includes a heat-transfer baffle structure with dual distribution channels between materials, a vented relief channel defined by an adjustable-width closure bar, and a substantially seamless boundary attachment to the reaction vessel. The second independent claim focuses on header-adjoined baffles with relief channels vented to the vessel exterior.
Substantially seamless attachment with adjustable-width relief channel
A reaction vessel comprising at least one heat transfer baffle in its interior, where each baffle includes at least one closure bar having an adjustable width that determines the width of the relief channel and that is fixably attached to the support material, with the support material attached to the reaction vessel at a substantially seamless boundary.
Distribution channels between first material and support material
A reaction vessel comprising at least one heat transfer baffle, where each baffle comprises at least one subassembly having two distribution channels formed between a first material and a support material.
Relief channel and venting to vessel exterior
A reaction vessel in which the relief channel of each baffle is vented to the vessel exterior.
Inlet and outlet header adjoined baffles
A reaction vessel in which each baffle is adjoined to at least one heat transfer media inlet header and at least one heat transfer media outlet header, with the relief channel of each baffle vented to the vessel exterior.
The independent claim set covers an interior heat-transfer baffle reaction-vessel architecture that uses material-partitioned subassemblies to form distribution channels, uses an adjustable-width closure bar to set relief-channel width, provides substantially seamless attachment to the vessel, and vents relief channels to the vessel exterior, with baffles adjoined to inlet and outlet headers.
Stated Advantages
Improved sanitary heat-transfer baffle system for reaction vessels used in chemical and biological processes.
Structural reinforcement and leak/pressure safety via relief channels vented to the vessel exterior.
Cleanability enabled by substantially seamless attachment to the vessel, with clean-in-place and sterilize-in-place referenced.
Improved heat-transfer performance characterized by overall heat transfer coefficient U, reported to compare favorably to conventional jacket and coil/tube systems in examples.
Documented Applications
Biopharmaceutical manufacturing and other chemical and biological processes conducted in reaction vessels, including fermentors and bioreactors.
Agitated operation of a vertical cylindrical reaction vessel, with baffles tested for overall heat transfer coefficient U performance.
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