Abstract
In aerobic microorganism culture, it has been observed that conventional bioreactors lead to disadvantages associated with oxygen limitation. To solve this problem it was designed, built and tested a bioreactor prototype with external aerator. This system allowed increasing the speed of oxygen transfer from gas phase to liquid phase, overcoming the limitation of oxygen. However, this new configuration doesnt have theoretical or empirical models to predict the oxygen transfer by calculating the global volumetric coefficient of transfer of oxygen (KLa). In that way, this paper proposed the use of dimensional analysis (Buckinghams Pi Theorem), as a tool to evaluate the effect of various operating variables, fluid properties and geometrical dimensions involved in the process over KLa. After developing the proposed analysis, we found a correlation of 0.89 between the values generated by the model and the avai- lable experimental data. It was found that the main variables which affect the coefficient KLa are: the medium flow flowing through the external aerator called recirculation flow, the pressure in the external aerator, and the stirring speed.
Highlights
In aerobic microorganism culture, it has been observed that conventional bioreactors lead to disadvantages associated with oxygen limitation
This paper proposed the use of dimensional analysis (Buckinghams Pi Theorem), as a tool to evaluate the effect of various operating variables, fluid properties and geometrical dimensions involved in the process over KLa
After developing the proposed analysis, we found a correlation of 0.89 between the values generated by the model and the available experimental data
Summary
En el cultivo de microorganismos aerobios se ha observado que los biorreactores convencionales conducen a inconvenientes asociados a la limitación de oxígeno. Para dar solución a esta problemática se diseñó, construyó y evaluó un prototipo de biorreactor con aireador externo. En este trabajo se propuso el uso de análisis dimensional (Teorema Pi de Buckingham), como herramienta para evaluar el efecto sobre el KLa de las diferentes variables involucradas en el proceso, como las de operación, las propiedades de los fluidos y dimensiones geométricas. Se encontró que las variables con mayor incidencia sobre el coeficiente KLa son el flujo de medio de cultivo que circula por el aireador externo denominado flujo de recirculación, la presión en el aireador externo y la velocidad de agitación. Palabras clave: aireador externo, coeficiente volumétrico de transferencia de oxígeno (KLa), Teorema Pi de Buckingham
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
