Eppendorf BioFlo 320 Dual Bioprocess Control System for Single-Use Vessels

The Eppendorf BioFlo 320 Dual Bioprocess Control System is a versatile and compact bioreactor controller designed for precise process control in microbial and cell culture bioprocessing applications. It supports single-use BioBLU vessels (1c–50c series) alongside autoclavable glass vessels (1L–10L), making it widely used in biopharmaceutical production pipelines and molecular diagnostics.

Key technical specifications include:

• Gas flow control via Thermal Mass Flow Controllers (TMFC) supporting up to 4 gases (Air, N₂, O₂, CO₂), with input pressures up to 10 psig for glass vessels and 6 psig for BioBLU single-use vessels. Sparge gas output flow ranges from 0.002 to 1.0 SLPM or optionally up to 20 SLPM.
• Integrated peristaltic pumps: Three Watson-Marlow 114DV heads (5–25 rpm variable), one 314D head (20–100 rpm variable), with optional external pumps for flexible feed control, critical in fed-batch bioprocessing strategies.
• Digital connections accept multiple sensor types: PT100 temperature probes, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), Redox, and CO₂ sensors, supporting real-time monitoring and control essential for upstream bioprocess development.
• Heating and cooling controlled via liquid supply systems supporting up to 80 °C for jacketed vessels, with heat blankets compatible for BioBLU vessels and optional Peltier exhaust condensers for vapor management.
• Dimensions: 40.6 x 40.6 x 66.0 cm; Weight: 32 kg. Power requirements: 100-120/208-240 VAC.

The BioFlo 320’s touchscreen interface and modular design enable flexible customization, including vessel scale integration, level and foam sensors, and choice of agitation impellers (pitched blade, Rushton, marine types). These features make it essential for molecular cloning workflows, synthetic biology research, and biomanufacturing scale-up or scale-down studies. Its robust performance and precise control are critical for optimizing microbial growth and cell culture processes in biotechnology and clinical diagnostics.

This dual controller system package includes two BioFlo 320 units, agitator motors, pH and DO sensors, heat blankets, and a 4-gas regulator, enabling parallel bioprocessing with single-use vessels. The product is widely adopted in upstream bioprocessing workflows, particularly in bioprocess development, fermentation optimization, and cell culture scale-up, supporting both research laboratories and pilot-scale environments.

Overall, the Eppendorf BioFlo 320 system is widely used for reliable, scalable upstream bioprocess control, integrating advanced sensor inputs and gas mixing capabilities, making it a preferred choice for biotechnology professionals focusing on microbial fermentation and mammalian cell culture bioprocessing.