Regularities of vortex motion in gas-vortex bioreactor

Abstract

Regularities of the vortex motion in an industrial glass bioreactor with a volume of 12 liters with a reactor vessel diameter D = 190 mm and with a filling of 50% was studied. A 65% water solution of glycerin was used as a model culture medium (density ρ g = 1150 kg/m3 and kinematic viscosity Vg = 15 mm2/s). Methods of particle image velocimetry and adaptive track visualization were used to observe the vortex pattern. The regularities of the vortex motion of the cultural medium were determined. It was found that, similar to the case of two rotating immiscible liquids, a strongly swirling jet was formed near the axis, and the entire flow took on the structure of a miniature gas-liquid tornado. The aerating gas interacted with the liquid only through the free surface, without mixing with it. As a result, the intensification of interphase mass transfer was provided due to the high speed of motion of the aerating gas.