IRAQI INVASION OF KUWAIT

File: 961031_950825_53160180_91r.txt
Page: 91r
Total Pages: 1
IRAQI INVASION OF KUWAIT

Filename:53160180.91r
SUBJECT: IRAQI INVASION OF KUWAIT

[      (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4)    ]













 THE FOLLOWING ALLEGEDLY WAS REMOVED FROM THE KUWAITI
INSTITUTE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY (NFI) BY THE IRAQI FORCES--
A.  THE KUWAITI NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY--CONSIDERED BY
EXPERTS AS PROBABLY THE SINGLE GREATEST LOSS TO THE INSTITUTE.
B.  1500L PILOT PLANT FERMENTER, NOT AUTOMATED BUT ABLE TO RE RUN
CONTINUOUSLY. THE SYSTEM, FITTED WITH A FOAM BREAKER, HAS A
CONTINUOUS STERILIZER AND THE REQUISITE PUMPS FOR MEDIA SUPPLY. IT
WAS MANUFACTURED BY "CHEMAP", THE SWISS FERMENTATION EQUIPMENT
MANUFACTURER, AND WAS COMMISSIONED IN 1979. EQUIPMENT WAS IN USE
ROUTINELY BY KUWAIT UP TO MAR 90. IT WAS USED TO CONVERT METHANOL 
TO
SINGLE CELL PROTEIN AND TO PRODUCE BIOSURFACTANTS TO CLEAN UP OIL
CONTAMINATED HOLDING TANKS.
C.  SEALED CENTRIFUGE, PASTEURIZER (FOR EFFLUENT) AND A
SPRAY-DRYER-- ALL DOWNSTREAM PROCESSING COMPONENTS FOR THE 1500L
FERMENTER.
D.  100-150L CHEMAP FERMENTER-- FULLY COMPUTER CONTROLLED,
MANUFACTURED IN 1985.
E.  4SSORTED 7-14L FERMENTERS WERE EQUIPPED FOR CONTINUOUS
CULTURE.
F.  ANCILIARY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING STEAM BOILERS, VERY LARGE
AUTOCLAVES (10X50L BOTTLES) AND PROCESS AIR COMPRESSORS. A 
PORTABLE
COLD ROOM ALSO WAS INSTALLED IN THE INSTITUTE.
2.  SOURCE, WHO IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED IN THIS FIELD, PROVIDED THE
FOLLOWING ASSESSMENT OF THE AROVE INFORMATION--
A.  EQUIPMENT TAKEN WAS STATE OF THE ART.
B.  THOUGH NOT INDUSTRIAL IN SIZE, THE EQUIPMENT IS DESIGNED FOR
CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION OF MICROBIAL BIOMASS (E.G. CELLS).
C.  PRODUCTION OF CONSIDERABLE QUANTITIES OF ANAEROBIC PATHOGENS
IS POSSIBLE. AS AN EXAMPLE UP TO 1.5 KG DRY PRODUCT PER HOUR IS
POSSIBLE FOR A MICROBE WITH A ONE HOUR GENERATING PERIOD.
D.  SEALED DESIGN OF THE CENTRIFUGAL SECTION AND THE ABILITY TO
USE DIFFERENT GAS ATMOSPHERES WOULD ALLOW FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A
WIDE VARIETY OF MICROBES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE PRODUCTION OF 
CLOSTRIDIUM
BOTULINUM IN A NITROGEN ATMOSPHERE MIGHT BE POSSIBLE WITH THIS
EQUIPMENT.
E.  THE EQUIPMENT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE DESIGNED FOR THE
PRODUCTION OF PATHOGENS, HOWEVER, WITH APPROPRIATE PROTECTIVE
CLOTHING IT COULD BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
3.  SOURCE ALSO INDICATED THAT PRIOR TO THE OUTBREAK OF WAR,
IRAQ HAD TAKEN OUT AN ADVERTISEMENT IN AN UNIDENTIFIED ARAB
NEWSPAPER ASKING FOR A BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEER TO START UP THIS
EQUIPMENT IN BAGHDAD.

[      (b)(1) sec 1.3(a)(4)    ]



#4974


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