GEA introduces world's smallest single use disk stack centrifuge

Global systems supplier, GEA Group, has introduced the world's smallest single use disk stack centrifuge for use in the biopharmaceutical, food and new food industries – the kytero 10.

This mini centrifuge separates bacteria, cell cultures, and yeasts, suitable for volumes from one to 10 litres. Other models of the kytero series cover ranges from 500 to 2000 litres (batch).

The kytero 10 separator is ideal for the smallest batch and perfusion fermenters. Thanks to the low shear design, high cell viability with continuous cell harvesting and perfusion processes is possible from laboratory scale up to production size.

The results achieved can be scaled up to larger model variants and industrial production with stainless steel separators, which facilitates process transfer and validation.

The GEA disc stack centrifuge technology has been implemented in compact machines with easy-to-handle units that contain all parts that come into contact with the product. These units are exchanged after a production run, providing maximum safety against contamination. Gamma-treated exchangeable units are available as standard.

The new single-use perfusion separators offer the same advantages as classic disk stack separators, but without the need for cleaning processes (CIP (cleaning-in-place) and SIP (sterilisation-in-place).

They are ready for the next process run in just a few minutes and require no media other than electricity and air, and the non-contact drive system breeze Drive ensures safe operation under high bio-containment requirements.

Continuous processing reduces the size of the bioreactor and significantly lowers costs. Operators no longer have to wait for the end of a batch run to separate cells and recover the target protein. Instead of discarding or harvesting cells at the end, they are returned to the bioreactor and only discharged partially so that production can run continuously for weeks, making it possible to bring new products to market faster and more cost-effectively.

GEA supplies food and beverage equipment to companies around Australia, with its main headquarters located near Melbourne Airport, Victoria.