Enhancement factor for oxygen absorption into fermentation broth

Abstract

AbstractValues of the enhancement factor for oxygen absorption into fermentation broth, i.e., the ratio of the liquid phase mass transfer coefficients for oxygen absorption for both cases with and without respiration of microorganisms were predicted theoretically on the assumption of various cell concentration distributions. Calculations indicate that in the usual case the enhancement factor is only slightly or negligibly larger than unity, even when accumulation of microorganisms at or near the gas‐liquid interface is assumed. Results of experiments with sparged‐stirred fermentors on oxygen absorption into fermentation broths containing resting and growing cells of Candida tropicalis confirmed the theoretical prediction. Except for extreme cases, the effect of respiration of microorganisms on kLa, values can practically be ignored.