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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.)

Average shear rate in airlift bioreactors: searching for the true value

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Author(s):
Esperanca, Mateus N. [1] ; Mendes, Caroline E. [2] ; Rodriguez, Guilherme Y. [3] ; Cerri, Marcel O. [4] ; Bettega, Rodrigo [5] ; Badino, Alberto C. [5]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Fed Inst Educ Sci & Technol Sao Paulo, Campus Capivari, BR-13360000 Capivari, SP - Brazil
[2] Ctr Univ FAI, Itapiranga, SC - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Itajuba, Nat Resources Inst, Bioproc Engn Course, Itajuba, MG - Brazil
[4] Sao Paulo State Univ, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Bioproc & Biotechnol, Araraquara, SP - Brazil
[5] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Grad Program Chem Engn, CP 676, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering; v. 42, n. 6, p. 995-1008, JUN 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

The shear rate is an important bioreactor parameter that needs to be evaluated due to its impact on microorganism morphology and viability, and consequently on bioproduct formation. Airlift bioreactors, classified as low-shear devices, are used as an alternative to conventional stirred-tank reactors. Considerable efforts have been made to characterize the shear environments in airlift bioreactors, using the average shear rate as a key parameter. However, there is no agreement among the values obtained in different studies, which can differ even in orders of magnitude. The methodologies used to obtain av in the different studies could be the reason for the lack of agreement among them. In this work, av in a concentric tube airlift bioreactor was evaluated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), as well as based on universal velocity profiles for liquid flows in smooth pipes and annuli. Good agreement was obtained between the CFD-based average shear rates and the values obtained from universal velocity profiles, indicating that CFD simulation is a valuable tool for av prediction. (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