Volumetric Mass Transfer Coefficient Measurement in a Stirred Tank Reactor

Abstract

A bioreactor is a controlled vessel which provides biological conversions into bioactive components using cells or enzymes. In the aerobic processes, it is important to know oxygen requirements of the cells which may vary during fermentation as a result of microbial activity, aging, substrate depletion and product formation, etc. Here we describe the measurement of volumetric mass transfer coefficient (k _L a) in a stirred tank reactor using dynamic method based on unsteady state which is also one of the significant parameter especially in scaling-up. The equipment in the measurement according to dynamic method has low cost compared to steady-state methodology. This method is reliable in the determination of k _L a when the gas residence time and probe measuring the oxygen concentration of response time are in specific requirements.

Keywords: Aerobic processes; Dissolved oxygen concentration; Dynamic method; Stirred tank reactor; Volumetric mass transfer coefficient.