Problem with air bubbles forming inside the tubing

Tagged: tubing air bubbles

This topic has 4 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 2 days, 20 hours ago by mgalardini.

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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February 17, 2025 at 2:47 pm #1883

mgalardini
Participant

Hi all,

when we run our custom chemostat experiments, in which the pumps run every one or two hours for a very short while, we noticed a buildup of significantly large air bubbles in the tubing, which will end up naturally lead to variability in the real dilution rate in the vials. We have tried tightening the luer locks, and moving the media bottles around, but the problem still presents itself after ~1 day of operation. Has anyone else experienced the same problem and would be happy to share their solution?

Many thanks,
Marco

February 18, 2025 at 12:05 pm #1884

harrison
Keymaster

Hello,
Are we talking about the culture tubes or the silicone tubing?
If the later, one thing to do is put a one way check valve between the pump and reactor (i.e. in the fresh media line). This prevents it moving backwards under gravity/siphon.

February 18, 2025 at 12:46 pm #1885

mgalardini
Participant

Hi,

correct, this has to do with air bubbles forming in the silicone tubing. Do you have a particular product/supplier you would recommend?

February 19, 2025 at 11:45 am #1886

harrison
Keymaster

Currently we use part 7757K41 from here:
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/one-way-flow-valves/check-valves~/body-material~plastic-1/check-valves-with-barbed-fittings-9/

February 19, 2025 at 12:11 pm #1895

mgalardini
Participant

Thanks a lot, we will try that, although we saw that the problem was somewhat reduced when we placed the media bottles well above the pumps/vials.

One last question: do these valves affect the flow, meaning that the amount of liquid being pumped per unit of time is lower?
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