Relation between Volumetric Mass Transfer Coefficient and Power Input per Unit Volume for Converging-Diverging Tube Airlift Fermenter

Abstract

A conventional external loop uniform tube airlift fermenter (UT-ALF) was modified to improve its performance. The riser part was replaced by a converging- diverging tube. The newly developed reactor system is named a converging-diverging tube airlift fermenter (CDT–ALF). The modified bioreactor (CDT–ALF) provides a unique hydrodynamic characteristic. Empirical correlation was developed to determine KLa with respect to power input per unit volume. The modified system (CDT-ALF) shows 250% higher KLa compared to conventional one.