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Reduction of porous media permeability from in situ Leuconostoc mesenteroides growth and dextran production
Author(s) -
Lappan Raymond E.,
Fogler H. Scott
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0290(19960405)50:1<6::aid-bit2>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - porous medium , permeability (electromagnetism) , bacteria , bacterial growth , porosity , leuconostoc mesenteroides , chemistry , chemical engineering , biophysics , biology , biochemistry , lactic acid , membrane , organic chemistry , engineering , genetics
In situ growth of bacteria in a porous medium can alter the permeability of that media. This article reveals that the rate of permeability alteration can be controlled by the inoculation strategy, nutrient concentrations, and injection rates. Based on experimental observations a phenomenological model has been developed to describe the inoculation of the porous medium, the in situ growth of bacteria, and the permeability decline of the porous medium. This model consists of two phases that describe the bacteria in the porous medium: (1) the nongrowth phase in which cell transport and retention are occurring; and (2) the growth phase in which the retained cells grow and plug the porous media. Transition from the transport phase to the growth phase is governed by the growth lag time of the cells within the porous medium. The importance of the inoculum injection strategy and the nutrient injection strategy is illustrated by the model. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.