Two (2) Applikon 3 Liter Microbial Bioreactor Bio-Bundle which included a start up kit, Software, Thermo circular Module EZ-Controller, labor, field service, etc. The Applikon 3L bioreactors The 3 liter dished bottom bioreactors are an ideal tool for a variety of bench-scale fermentation experiments and system modeling. These systems are configured to measure and control pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), level/foam and agitation. The use of removable autoclavable pump heads mounted on a plate makes preparations for autoclaving and subsequent set up much simpler. The BioBundle is modular, easy to operate, and provides essential parallel replication to help ensure reproducible results and includes the BioXpert Lite Software for data acquisition.
Two (2) Applikon 7 liter Microbial Bioreactor Bio-Bundles which included a start up kit, Software, Thermo circular Module EZ-Controller, labor, field service, etc. The Applikon 7 liter bioreactors have integrated heat jackets and dished bottoms, making them an essential tool for a variety of bench-scale fermentation experiments and reactor systems modeling. These systems are configured to measure and control pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), level/foam and agitation.
Dionex ICS-3000 Reagent-Free™ Ion Chromatography (RFIC™) system. The ICS-3000 is a unique, high resolution chromatograph that will increase the productivity of our research at BSEL by combining high performance, intelligent automation, and integrated data management along with state-of-the-art control.
UltiMate 3000 Rapid Separation LC (RSLC) system accelerates high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for unrivaled performance and flexibility. Precision-engineered instrumentation, advanced data processing and highly optimized chemistries meet all chromatographic performance challenges. Industry-leading RSLC technology will allow researchers and technicians to work over an extensive flow-pressure footprint, covering the full range of HPLC, including conventional and ultrafast LC, on one system.
Leica AM6000 inverted microscope with micromanipulators. This microscope combines the functions of a fully automated inverted research microscope with those of electronic micromanipulators. The Leica AM6000 with micromanipulation system will allow the BSEL team to observe and manipulate specimens simultaneously. Using the contrast or illumination manager, BSEL researchers will be able to use the Leica AM6000 and the built-in high resolution digital camera to capture razor-sharp, brilliant images required to support research publications.
Multifors bacterial fermentors. These reactors are a highly specialized and unique system that provides unparalleled flexibility and control over parallel bench-scale substrate conversion studies. Control is provided by the X-Controller system from Infors which is microprocessor based and allows for up to 16 parameters to be controlled with one operating panel capable of linking to up to a maximum of instrumentation units. When combined with IRIS control and modeling software, the system can provide for a wide range of control strategies (event and/or time-based) plus accommodation of additional equipment such as balances or a mass spectrometer.
Gerhardt THO500 Orbital Incubating Shaker. Proper culturing of the microbes needed for research at BSEL requires specialized incubating equipment. The Gerhardt THO500 Orbital Incubating Shaker offers a unique, patented state-of-the-art incubation shaker with a large, programmable orbital motion. The sophisticated construction guarantees controlled and steady conditions for continuous operation as well as homogenous mixture of cultures thanks to constant speed and temperature. A large transparent and internally lit incubator chamber allows easy observation of cultures from all sides.
Purification System Diamond UV/UF – Water purification is vital to any research. This specific system will remove bacteria and particles from the water ensuring research samples are not contaminated or altered. This specific model includes the UV and UF which will produce incredibly high quality water ideal for the bioproducts and bioenergy research.
Biomass pretreatment system. The pretreatment system being procured is an essential, custom-designed 10 liter reactor/pretreatment tank and 100 liter flash tank. The equipment will be constructed of 316L grade stainless steel, and will incorporate state-of-the-art technology successfully licensed by WSU and BSEL from a leading international cellulosic bioethanol technology company. This equipment is essential to the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass such as agricultural crop residues, forest residues and other wastes, and will allow BSEL researchers to separate this biomass into the component cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin fractions. These individual components are the feedstocks for subsequent research into enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation of bioethanol fuel and bioproducts, and are also used as feedstocks by BSEL and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) researchers for research into thermochemical conversion of biomass into biofuels and bioproducts.
A 100 liter Allegheny Bradford bioreactor that includes controller and user computers, a control panel and manuals. The reactor system is 100 liters total volume with a working volume of 50 to 70 liters. The reactor vessel is made from 316L grade stainless steel, and is designed to operate at 302° F at 50 PSI pressure. The heat jacket will operate at up to 302° F, 100 PSI and full vacuum pressures. The unit includes four independent gas flow controllers for the sparge and head space and is designed to be sterilizable in place. To allow BSEL researchers to conduct fermentation studies at a range of temperature conditions, and to precisely control those temperatures, the unit includes micro-therm 9 KW temperature controllers and a recirculator. This 100 liter bioreactor is an essential tool to study small pilot-scale fermentation experiments and reactor systems as well as process scale-up challenges.
Agilent Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), model 5975C, bundled with a CTC Analytics' CombiPAL and GC PAL automated sample injectors. BSEL researchers will use the GC/MS technology for the analysis of biofuels and other biologically derived hydrocarbon compounds. A high performance GC/MS is essential to allow BSEL researchers to comply with ASTM Method D-6584 for free and total glycerin, as well as a GC-headspace sampling method to comply with the European Method EN 14110 for the determination of residual methanol (or ethanol) in biofuels. Additionally, other GC testing methods are described for Simulated Distillation to comply with ASTM Method D-2887, as well as methanol-purity testing. This will also allow BSEL researchers to sample highly volatile hydrocarbon samples very rapidly and with high precision. The Agilent 5975C GC/MS ChemStation software seamlessly integrates the CTC sample injectors which improves the speed, efficiency and flexibility of the GC/MS. The autosampler is unique in that it will allow BSEL researchers to perform liquid, headspace and Solid Phase Micro-extraction (SPME). SPME is a patented sample preparation technique for GC based on the adsorption of analytes directly from an aqueous sample onto a coated, fused-silica fiber and desorp the analyte. This sampling technique is fast, easy to use and eliminates the use of organic solvents. The SPME fiber can be inserted into the liquid sample or suspended above the sample for headspace sampling. In headspace sampling, the SPME fiber acts as a "chemical pump," forcing compounds out of the liquid phase into the headspace and then into the fiber.
Thermo Scientific Trace GC Ultra delivers superior performance, while ensuring simple and reliable performance. The Thermo Scientific TRACE GC UltraTM is built around the recognized quality, reliability and ruggedness of the established trace GC technology, but adds speed, reliability and automation features that will provide researchers at BSEL with a very significant increase in sample throughput, with analyses performed up to 30 times faster than with a standard trace GC, without compromises in precision.
MiniOpticon real-time PCR detection system with a compact two-color real-time detector built on a MJ Mini cycler. Research at the BSEL facility includes identification, isolation and purification of enzymes such as cellulases, hemicellulases, and other glycosyl hydrolases synthesized by fungi and bacteria work together in a synergistic fashion to degrade the structural polysaccharides in biomass. In addition, the equipment will allow BSEL and PNNL researchers to rapidly identify non-cultivatable or slow-growing microorganisms such as mycobacteria, anaerobic bacteria, archaeal organisms from tissue culture assays and reactors.
Purifier Logic Class II Biosafety Cabinet. This equipment provides BSEL researchers with protection from accidental exposure to potentially hazardous particulates, chemicals or organisms that require Biosafety Level II or III containment. During operation, room air is drawn into the inlet grille at the work access opening and is filtered through a supply HEPA filter. Approximately 70% of the HEPA-filtered air is circulated through the cabinet, while 30% passes through an exhaust HEPA filter and is discharged. These biohazard cabinets are designed to discharge HEPA-filtered exhaust air directly and safely into the laboratory. If required, BSEL personnel can also directly duct the canopy into the laboratory air handler system to allow researchers to also work on applications involving minute quantities of volatile toxic chemicals and tracer amounts of radionuclides as an adjunct to microbiological research.
Miscellaneous other equipment. In addition to the major systems already listed, BSEL also acquired a broad range of other laboratory equipment, including:
