Premium
Enhancement of oxygen transfer in highly viscous non‐newtonian fermentation broths
Author(s) -
Kawase Yoshinori,
Tsujimura Masanari
Publication year - 1994
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/bit.260440913
Subject(s) - airlift , mass transfer , coalescence (physics) , bioreactor , draft tube , non newtonian fluid , bubble , fermentation , mechanics , newtonian fluid , chemistry , chromatography , physics , food science , organic chemistry , astrobiology
Abstract The influence of short draft tubes covered by perforated plates on gas‐liquid mass transfer was examined in external‐loop airlift bioreactors. The volumetric mass transfer coefficients in a model external‐loop airlift bioreactor were measured with water and non‐Newtonian media. It was found that introduction of draft tubes covered with perforated plates in the riser significantly improved the mass transfer rate, particularly in higher viscous non‐Newtonian fermentation media. The enhancement of mass transfer rate might be due mainly to an increase in bubble coalescence and redispersion. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.