Refine Technology

CONNECTING TO YOUR BAG / TANK OR REACTOR

Fermenters that are used in cell culture are typically called bioreactors and come with a varied range of ports and connection options. The international market leaders of bioreactors today are listed in the table below, which show the type of reactors they offer. All of these bioreactors can be used with the ATF™ System through different connection options. There are many smaller or custom manufacturers not listed here with reactors that perform equally well with the ATF System. Please for further information if you have any questions.

The ATF System is designed to deliver high flow at low shear, while sustaining the hollow fiber filter effectiveness through the cleaning action of alternating tangential flow. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid small diameter tubing or piping which can increase stress and shear for cells or product and also make it difficult for the fast liquid flows to be achieved.

For a glass or rigid plastic bioreactor, the connection is easy and standard, while for a steel bioreactor the choice is normally to use the Ingold DN25 port, or an available sanitary triclover fitting.

Bioreactor Manufacturers

Roll over names to show details.

Name

Applikon
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
12mm diptube (M19 or M26 compression fitting)	DN25 port adaptor (insert or full flow model) T/C options: 1”, 1.5”, 2”	3/8” ID diptube (weighted or welded to bag bottom). Connector options (3/8”- 1/2”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC, CPC etc.	n/a	n/a	n/a

Broadley James
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
12mm diptube (M19 or M26 compression fitting)	n/a	3/8” ID diptube (weighted or welded to bag bottom). Connector options (3/8”- 1/2”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC, CPC etc.	n/a	n/a	n/a

Sartorius Stedim
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
12mm diptube (M19 or M26 compression fitting)	DN25 port adaptor (insert or full flow model, BBI safety versions also available) T/C options: 1”, 1.5”, 2”	3/8” ID diptube (weighted or welded to bag bottom). Connector options (3/8”- 1/2”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC, CPC etc.	Single or double 3/4” ID diptube (welded to bag bottom). Connector options (3/4”- 1”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC etc.	n/a	Single or double 3/4” – 1” ID side wall or harvest port. Connector options (3/4”- 1”): Opta or DAC.

New Brunswick
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
12mm diptube (M19 or M26 compression fitting)	DN25 port adaptor (insert or full flow model). T/C options: 1”, 1.5”, 2”	3/8” ID diptube (weighted or welded to bag bottom). Connector options (3/8”- 1/2”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC, CPC etc.	n/a	12mm diptube. Connector options (3/8”- 1/2”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC, CPC etc.	n/a

Pierre Guerin
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
12mm diptube (M19 or M26 compression fitting)	DN25 port adaptor (insert or full flow model) T/C options: 1”, 1.5”, 2”	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

ATMI
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Single or double 3/4” – 1” ID side wall or harvest port. Connector options (3/4”- 1”): Opta or DAC.

ThermoFisher Hyclone SUB
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Single or double 3/4” – 1” ID side wall or harvest port. Connector options (3/4”- 1”): Opta or DAC.

Kuhner
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Single or double 3/4” – 1” ID side wall or harvest port. Connector options (3/4”- 1”): Opta or DAC.

GE
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
n/a	n/a	3/8” ID diptube (weighted or welded to bag bottom). Connector options (3/8”- 1/2”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC, CPC etc.	Single or double 3/4” ID diptube (welded to bag bottom). Connector options (3/4”- 1”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC etc.	n/a	n/a

Millipore
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	12mm diptube. Connector options (3/8”- 1/2”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC, CPC etc.	Single or double 3/4” – 1” ID side wall or harvest port. Connector options (3/4”- 1”): Opta or DAC.

Infors
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
12mm diptube (M19 or M26 compression fitting)	DN25 port adaptor (insert or full flow model) T/C options: 1”, 1.5”, 2”	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

Biotron
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
12mm diptube (M19 or M26 compression fitting)	DN25 port adaptor (insert or full flow model) T/C options: 1”, 1.5”, 2”	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

Biott/Able
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
12mm diptube (M19 or M26 compression fitting)	DN25 port adaptor (insert or full flow model) T/C options: 1”, 1.5”, 2”	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a

Cellution
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
n/a	n/a	3/8” ID diptube (weighted or welded to bag bottom). Connector options (3/8”- 1/2”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC, CPC etc.	Single or double 3/4” ID diptube (welded to bag bottom). Connector options (3/4”- 1”): Kleenpack, Opta, DAC etc.	n/a	n/a

PBS Biotech
Glass	Steel	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 1-20L	Single Use Rocker / Wave type 20-250L	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 1-15L (rigid)	Single Use Stirred Tank Reactor 20-2000L (bag)
n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Single or double 3/4” – 1” ID side wall or harvest port. Connector options (3/4”- 1”): Opta or DAC.

If you use a single use system, where design options may be limited according to the manufacturers' technology, it is important to double check the following items with their technical engineers:

Height/position of the port
This determines the minimum working volume for the ATF System which impacts cell concentration volumes, media exchanges and harvest process flows.

Internal diameter of port and tubing
This must be sufficiently large to ensure adequately fast alternating flows without restrictions or introducing a significant pressure drop

Choice of single use connector
The actual internal diameter of many connectors does not match the marketing or headline description, so 3/4" may describe the outer not inner diameter. This restriction can impact the process flow even if the remainder of tubing used is adequately sized.

If you have any doubt on your application or wish to receive advice, please ask Refine Technology or one of our representatives. We have experience with all the major manufacturers and are happy to provide feedback on any design or drawing.