Applikon® BioPilot Bioreactors
You rely on your equipment. Your equipment should rely on ATG.
When a bioreactor goes down, every minute of lost productivity matters—service must be both rapid and technically exact. Analytical Technologies Group specializes in the maintenance and repair of platforms such as the Applikon® BioPilot Sterilizable-In-Place Bioreactor Series, with field engineers trained to diagnose faults efficiently and implement targeted corrective actions. Supported by a tightly controlled in-house stock of essential spare parts, we minimize turnaround time and restore your system to full performance with minimal operational disruption.
Let’s get you up and running – and keep you there.
Tips for keeping your Applikon® BioPilot Bioreactor in good working order:
Install inline filters on the gas supply lines feeding the controller (especially when using MFCs), and replace them annually.
If autoclaving is performed, maintain a log of autoclave cycles for the following:
Glass vessels
pH probes
DO probes
Any other probes located within the vessel
Adhere to the manufacturer’s specified autoclave life cycles and storage recommendations.
Replace vessel O-rings annually.
When using optical sensors, keep all open connections covered with the supplied protective caps to prevent fouling or contamination of connection points.
If the reactor will not be used for an extended period, power it down and, if possible, disconnect it from the power source. These systems rely on high-power electronics that generate significant heat, which can degrade components over time.
Have the impeller shaft drive assembly rebuilt annually to prevent component wear and potential contamination of the media.
Inspect the rollers in peristaltic pump heads for rolling resistance. They should rotate freely; remove any accumulated residue using a mild detergent to prevent tubing wear.
Perform annual preventive maintenance to verify that the system is operating in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
Having technical problems with your Applikon® BioPilot Bioreactor?
Fast Response
We provide very prompt responses to customers within one business day.
Fast Turnaround
Our field service engineers are expediently dispatched across North America & Europe to fulfill your service request.
Expert Staff
ATG’s highly trained, highly skilled staff ensure your instruments remain in optimal condition.
Parts In Stock
To minimize instrument downtime, we stock virtually all parts for the systems in which we specialize.
Applikon® BioPilot Bioreactors Troubleshooting Tips:
If foaming becomes excessive during scale-up, reduce superficial gas velocity before increasing antifoam addition.
If antifoam usage is significantly higher than expected, verify foam probe placement and eliminate false triggering.
If oxygen transfer decreases after antifoam addition, reduce dosing rate and reassess aeration strategy.
If temperature response is slow, verify heat transfer efficiency of the jacket and confirm circulation flow rates.
If temperature overshoots occur, retune PID parameters to reflect increased thermal inertia.
If temperature gradients are suspected, confirm adequate mixing and probe placement.
If contamination occurs post-SIP, verify full temperature coverage and hold time across the vessel and piping.
If cold spots are suspected, perform temperature mapping during SIP cycles.
If repeated contamination occurs, inspect valves, diaphragms, and dead legs for inadequate sterilization.
If mixing is insufficient at higher working volumes, increase agitation or modify impeller configuration (e.g., add additional impellers).
If vortex formation occurs, reduce agitation speed or adjust liquid level relative to impeller position.
If shear sensitivity impacts cells, shift toward axial-flow impellers and reduce tip speed.
If power draw increases unexpectedly, inspect for biomass-induced viscosity changes or mechanical resistance.
