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Mixing at the microscale: Power input in shaken microtiter plates
Astrid Dürauer1,2, Stefanie Hobiger2, Cornelia Walther1
1Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
Biotechnology Journal
|July 2, 2016
Summary
Microscale fluid dynamics and mixing are characterized by power input. This study found that hydrodynamic stress varies significantly across microtiter plate formats, limiting scalability to larger reactors.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Power input and energy dissipation are key for microscale fluid dynamics.
- Hydrodynamic stress, dependent on power input, influences mixing and flock destruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize power input and hydrodynamic stress in various microtiter plate (MTP) formats.
- To assess the scalability of microscale mixing conditions to laboratory- and pilot-scale reactors.
Main Methods:
- Adapted the clay/polymer method to measure flock destruction kinetics in 6-, 24-, and 96-well MTPs.
- Determined specific power input using calorimetry.
- Measured hydrodynamic stress and power input across different MTP formats and scales.
Main Results:
- Power input in 6- and 96-well MTPs and lab-scale reactors is 30-140 W/m³.
- Power input in pilot-scale reactors is significantly higher (450-2100 W/m³).
- 96-well plates exhibit very low shear stress, indicating poor scalability.
Conclusions:
- Hydrodynamic conditions in MTPs, especially 96-well plates, differ significantly from larger reactors.
- Scaling up mixing conditions from MTPs to pilot-scale reactors requires careful consideration.
- Calorimetric determination of power input highlights limitations in achieving comparable hydrodynamic conditions across scales.
