Initial power measurements for a family of novel vertical‐wheel bioreactors

The purpose of this investigation was to develop an initial set of Power number versus Reynolds number results for a family of vertical‐wheel bioreactors. These bioreactors are increasingly being used for the manufacture of cells for cell therapy but have not been characterized according to this approach. A novel gravimetric method to measure power was used, and the validity of this method was assessed by measuring power for a standard stirred tank bioreactor with a Rushton impeller. The results of the gravimetric method were found to closely match those derived from traditional methods. The validated method was then used to measure the power draw and develop an initial set of Power number versus Reynolds number results for a family of vertical‐wheel bioreactors.