Conception and characterization of a continuous plug flow bioreactor

This report describes the design and use of a new type of Continuous Plug Flow Reactor (CPFR). The reactor comprises a continuous glass tube (diameter of 19 mm) arranged into a spiral (0.4 m external diameter) consisting of five loops, which rotate around an axle. The CPFR has advantages over other reactors in that continuous fermentation is possible without dilution of the culture and biomass or metabolite yield is increased. In addition temperature and water activity may be adjusted to a different optimum level for each physiological stage of the cultivated microorganism.