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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Global performance parameters for different pneumatic bioreactors operating with water and glycerol solution: experimental data and CFD simulation

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Author(s):
Rodriguez, G. Y. [1] ; Valverde-Ramirez, M. [1] ; Mendes, C. E. [1] ; Bettega, R. [1] ; Badino, A. C. [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Grad Program Chem Engn, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering; v. 38, n. 11, p. 2063-2075, NOV 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

Global variables play a key role in evaluation of the performance of pneumatic bioreactors and provide criteria to assist in system selection and design. The purpose of this work was to use experimental data and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to determine the global performance parameters gas holdup ((alpha) over bar (G)) and volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (k(L)a), and conduct an analysis of liquid circulation velocity, for three different geometries of pneumatic bioreactors: bubble column, concentric-tube airlift, and split tube airlift. All the systems had 5 L working volumes and two Newtonian fluids of different viscosities were used in the experiments: distilled water and 10 cP glycerol solution. Considering the high oxygen demand in certain types of aerobic fermentations, the assays were carried out at high flow rates. In the present study, the performances of three pneumatic bioreactors with different geometries and operating with two different Newtonian fluids were compared. A new CFD modeling procedure was implemented, and the simulation results were compared with the experimental data. The findings indicated that the concentric-tube airlift design was the best choice in terms of both gas holdup and volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient. The CFD results for gas holdup were consistent with the experimental data, and indicated that k (L) a was strongly influenced by bubble diameter and shape. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/23807-1 - Development and evaluation of the operational conditions of bioreactors for production of biotechnological products
Grantee:Alberto Colli Badino Junior
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 12/17756-8 - Evaluation of hydrodynamic conditions, shear and oxygen transfer of different models in pneumatic bioreactors
Grantee:Caroline Eliza Mendes
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate