Stainless Steel Multi-Step Fermentor for Multi-Stage Bioprocess Scale-Up

Stainless Steel Multi-Step Fermentor

Product Introduction:

Customizable 10–10,000 L total volume stainless steel bioreactor

1 or 2-stage seed vessels, can be controlled independently

Mechanical stirring or magnetic stirring is available, with support for interchangeable stirring paddles of various types.

Standard 4×n peristaltic pumps, expandable configuration

Standard single-air-intake system, with optional multi-gas-intake system. Supports upgrade to automatic air-intake system.

Unified control: temperature, agitation, pH, DO, antifoam, feeding

User-friendly 15-inch touch screen for intuitive and convenient operation.

Designed with stable and reliable seed-transfer pipelines.

Description

Industrial multi-stage stainless steel bioreactor designed for sequential seed cultivation and scaled-up microbial fermentation, ideal for biopharmaceutical production, food fermentation, bio-chemical processing and pilot-to-industrial bioprocess validation

Modular multi-stage tank linkage design supports staged fermentation workflows including seed expansion, primary fermentation and secondary fermentation, realizing seamless process transition from lab R&D to formal mass production

Sanitary 304/316L stainless steel vessel construction

features corrosion resistance, high temperature and pressure tolerance, no medium residue and easy sterilization

Customizable multi-stage combination & volume range

supports flexible matching of seed tanks and fermentation tanks, with scalable capacity from pilot-scale to industrial large-volume specifications to meet diverse process scale-up demands

Independent full-parameter automatic control system precisely regulates temperature, agitation, pH, DO, feeding and defoaming for each stage; realizes staged parameter switching and stable process linkage for consistent batch repeatability

Standard SIP sterilization & fully sealed structure supports in-situ automatic sterilization of pipelines and tank bodies, effectively eliminating cross-contamination and maintaining ultra-clean sterile fermentation environments for long-term continuous operation

Optimized industrial stirring & gas distribution system ensures uniform oxygen dissolution and even nutrient mixing, adapts to high-density microbial fermentation, and significantly improves fermentation efficiency and product yield

Integrated data monitoring & traceability system records full-process fermentation data in real time, supports data export and process analysis, meeting standardized production and industrial quality supervision requirements

Application

Small-scale & pilot-scale production
Multi-stage seed culture & fermentation
Direct seed inoculation & scale-up
Shake flask-to-production transition research
Process optimization & parallel comparison experiments
Strain cultivation & high-density fermentation

Lid Lift

The fermenter lid lifting system offers three options: manual, electric, and pneumatic. For models with a capacity exceeding 50 liters, we recommend using an automatic electric or pneumatic lid lifting system. This system effectively reduces manual labor, eliminates the need to handle heavy loads, and prevents safety hazards during operation.

Pumps

Each fermenter is equipped with four peristaltic feed pumps as standard to meet the needs of routine nutrient supplementation, defoaming, and liquid dosing. Both the type and number of pumps can be fully customized to meet experimental and process requirements.

Piping

Comprehensive piping has been fully installed between the fermenters, featuring a standardized layout and neatly organized routing. The integrated piping design eliminates the need for cumbersome on-site assembly, making the installation and commissioning processes both quick and easy.

Valves

Fermentation tank valves are available in both manual and pneumatic configurations to accommodate various operating modes and production requirements.

The manual mode allows for flexible on-site adjustments during small-scale experimental tasks, while the pneumatic version supports automated remote control, making it ideal for continuous and large-scale production.

Electrode Port

The side of the tank is equipped with four sensors—temperature, defoaming, pH, and DO—to monitor fermentation parameters. Additional sensors are available.

Controller

The control cabinet for the multi-stage fermenter features touchscreen control and can independently control multiple tanks.

TECHNICAL PARAMETERS

Item	Details
Vessel	Double-wall jacketed stainless steel vessel Material:The parts in contact with the material are made of 316L stainless steel, the casing is constructed from 304 stainless steel. Total volume: 5~100,000L (customizable) Working Load Rate:30%~70% Number of tanks：2~3
Agitation	Magnetic stirring or mechanical stirring (optional) Speed:0-1000rpm Blades:all alternative impeller styles support customization
Temp.	Temperature control range: Cooling water +5°C to 65°C Temperature sensor: PT100 platinum electrode
Feed	Standard 4×n pumps; fixed speed or variable speed optional
Gas	Standard: single air intake Optional: multiple independent air intakes Standard: manual rotameter Optional: automatic mass flow controller (MFC)
Control System	Temperature, agitation speed, pH, DO, antifoam, and feeding control
Sterilization	Online steam sterilisation
Expandable	ORP electrode, biomass sensor, precision weighing balance, off-gas analyzer, four-valve feed system, automatic CIP, automatic SIP, (global & domestic brand options available)

FAQS

1.What are the key advantages of multi-stage stainless steel fermenters?

A: They enable continuous, staged fermentation—including seed culture, scale-up, and production fermentation—thereby facilitating seamless scale-up from pilot to large-scale production and ensuring consistent batch quality.
2.What materials are used to manufacture multi-stage fermenters? Do they comply with GMP standards?

A: The fermenters are manufactured from sanitary-grade 304 or 316L stainless steel, a material that is heat-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and suitable for SIP sterilization, and complies with biopharmaceutical GMP production standards.
3.Can fermentation parameters be controlled independently for each stage?

A: Yes. Temperature, agitation, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and feed rate can be set separately for the seed tank and production tank to meet the different microbial growth requirements of each stage.
4.Which industries are multi-stage stainless steel fermenters suitable for?

A: They are widely used in biopharmaceutical fermentation, food brewing, amino acid production, bio-fermented chemicals, and large-scale microbial synthesis projects.
5.Does the system record full-process production data for traceability?

Real-time recording of all parameters, along with data storage and export functions, is available to meet industrial quality supervision and process audit requirements.

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Stainless Steel Multi-Step Fermentor