Improved Process Safety in Biofermentation

Optical dissolved oxygen sensors are ideal for biofermentation. Their speed in response and very low drift ensures process safety. A new sensor that combines optical technology with predictive diagnostics and easy handling offers improved process control.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) sensors based on an optical measurement technique are quickly overtaking other designs as the preferred choice for DO measurement in the pharmaceutical industry. A number of features make optical sensors highly suited to monitoring batch fermentations. METTLER TOLEDO`s optical InPro 6860i DO sensor adds to this by incorporating the easy handling and predictive diagnostic benefits of the Intelligent Sensor Management platform.

Advantages of optical technology

Optical dissolved oxygen sensors operate on a completely different principle to the more traditional amperometric sensors. Whereas amperometric sensors make measurements based on changes in electric current, optical sensors exploit the capability of certain molecules to absorb then emit light (fluorescence quenching). In the presence of oxygen, the time taken between light being absorbed then emitted differs. Optical DO sensors can measure this and calculate the level of dissolved oxygen in a liquid.

This technology offers three main advantages. Firstly, optical DO sensors exhibit very low drift, which is vital for ensuring accurate DO values throughout long fermentation runs. Secondly, they respond quickly to changes in dissolved oxygen level; therefore, corrective action can be taken quickly and efficiently when out-of-spec conditions arise. Thirdly, also unlike aperometric sensors, optical sensors do not contain electrolytes that would require periodic replacement, therefore maintenance is very low.

Predictive diagnostics

METTLER TOLEDO`s InPro 6860i DO sensor adds to the advantages of optical technology by incorporating Intelligent Sensor Management. This digital technology platform provides a number of useful features including predictive diagnostic tools for efficient maintenance planning. These provide assurance that the InPro 6860i will perform reliably throughout the next fermentation batch.

Installation flexibility

The InPro 6860i offers two output signal types: nA, and digital. This means the sensor is compatible with all existing transmitters and biocontrollers and can be used with confidence from benchtop reactors to full-scale production units.

With the new InPro 6860i dissolved oxygen sensor, METTLER TOLEDO has taken optical DO measurement to a new level. This combination of technologies makes the InPro 6860i the ideal choice for all DO measurement applications across the biopharma industry.