Axial Dispersion Model for Simulation of an Airlift Bioreactor
Advancing the chemical engineering fundamentals
Multifase Flows - III (T2-5c)
Keywords: airlift bioreactor, gluconic acid fermentation, mathematical modeling, scale-up
The airlift reactors have potential application in biotechnology industries due to their simple construction and less shear stress imposed on shear sensitive cells compared with the mechanically stirred tanks.
This work was focused on mathematical modeling of the fermentation process in an internal loop airlift reactor (IALR). Simulation results were verified on the batch fermentation of the gluconic acid by the strain Aspergillus niger which has been chosen as a model system. The fermentation was carried out in three laboratory IALRs (each one with different scale: 12, 40 and 200 liters, respectively) and performed in growth or non-growth conditions. Model of the ILALR is based on the material balance of each compound taking a part of reaction. From the various hydrodynamic and mixing point of view the reactor was divided into four main parts: bottom, riser, separator and downcomer. Each zones of that reactor were modeled separately according to mixing properties within (ideal mixing or plug flow with axial dispersion).
Parameters of the model, such as axial dispersion coefficient, mass transfer coefficient of oxygen, gas hold-ups, and circulation velocities, were predicted using experimentally determined correlations.
The results of the simulations and experiments are in sufficient agreement.
Acknowledgement: This work was supported by the Slovak Scientific Grant Agency in the framework of the Grant VEGA 1/3573/06.
See the full pdf manuscript of the abstract.
Presented Tuesday 18, 09:25 to 09:45, in session Multifase Flows - III (T2-5c).
