Fermentation

Precision-controlled bioreactors and fermentation vessels that optimize microbial growth, flavor development, and product consistency.

Product Overview

Our fermentation systems provide optimal environmental conditions for controlled microbial activity, whether for beverage production, pharmaceutical fermentation, or biotechnology applications. These systems feature precise temperature control, pressure management, agitation systems, and comprehensive monitoring to ensure repeatable results. From small-scale R&D vessels to large production fermenters, our solutions support the entire development and scale-up process.

Key Benefits

  • Advanced temperature control maintains optimal fermentation conditions
  • Pressure management systems for aerobic and anaerobic processes
  • Integrated cleaning and sterilization capabilities
  • Real-time monitoring of pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature
  • Automated sampling ports for process analysis
  • Variable agitation speeds optimize mixing and oxygen transfer
  • Jacketed vessels with precise cooling and heating zones
  • Data acquisition systems track critical process parameters
  • Modular design allows system expansion and modification

Industries Served

  • Brewing & Craft Beer
  • Wine & Cider
  • Distilling
  • Kombucha & Fermented Beverages
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Biotechnology
  • Probiotics
  • Enzyme Production
  • Industrial Fermentation

Compliance Capabilities

  • FDA cGMP requirements
  • 3-A Sanitary Standards
  • ASME BPE, EU GMP guidelines
  • USDA organic certification support
  • ISO 13408 (Aseptic Processing)
  • USP guidelines

Product Breakdown

  • Cylindroconical Fermenters: Brewing industry standard with 60° cone angles for yeast collection, available in 5-500 BBL capacities with glycol-jacketed temperature zones and pressure ratings to 15 PSI
  • Stirred-Tank Bioreactors: Pharmaceutical and biotech fermenters with top-mounted agitators (50-500 RPM), spargers for controlled aeration, and steam-sterilizable construction from 10L to 20,000L working volumes
  • Unitank Systems: Multi-purpose vessels for fermentation, conditioning, and serving with integrated carbonation stones, sample ports, and CIP spray balls for craft brewing applications
  • Open Fermentation Vessels: Traditional open-top fermenters for ale, wine, and spontaneous fermentation with cooling jackets and optional floating lids, promoting ester development and unique flavor profiles
  • Airlift Bioreactors: Gentle mixing systems using air injection for shear-sensitive cell cultures, eliminating mechanical agitation for mammalian cell culture and fragile microorganism cultivation
  • Continuous Fermentation Systems: Multi-stage cascade fermenters maintaining steady-state conditions for high-volume ethanol, enzyme, or biomass production with automated nutrient feeding and product removal

Technical Details

  • Vessel Construction: 304 or 316L stainless steel with 2B or electropolished finishes (Ra < 0.8 μm), designed per ASME Section VIII for pressure vessels with hydrostatic testing and certification
  • Temperature Control: Dimpled or half-pipe jacketing with glycol or water circulation maintaining ±0.5°C accuracy, with multi-zone control for cone, sidewall, and top sections operating from -5°C to 95°C
  • Agitation Systems: Rushton turbine, pitched blade, or marine impellers driven by variable speed motors with mechanical seals or magnetic couplings, providing tip speeds from 1-5 m/s
  • Aeration and Sparging: Micro-spargers or sintered stainless steel diffusers delivering 0.1-2 VVM (volume gas per volume liquid per minute) with mass flow controllers and sterile filters
  • Process Monitoring: pH probes (±0.1 pH accuracy), dissolved oxygen sensors (0-200% saturation), temperature RTDs, pressure transducers, and optical density sensors with 4-20mA outputs
  • Ports and Connections: Tri-clamp fittings for CIP, sampling, addition, harvest, and instrumentation with steam-sterilizable valves and double-block-and-bleed configurations preventing cross-contamination