Abstract
The mixing behaviour of the liquid phase in concentric-tube airlift bioreactors of different scale (RIMP: V L=0.070 m3; RIS-1: V L=2.50 m3; RIS-2: V L=5.20 m3) in terms of mixing time was investigated. This mixing parameter was determined from the output curves to an initial Dirac pulse, using the classical tracer response technique, and analyzed in relation to process and geometrical parameters, such as: gas superficial velocity, νSGR; top clearance, h S; bottom clearance, h B, and ratio of the resistances at downcomer entrance, A d/A R. A correlation between the mixing time and the specified operating and geometrical parameters was developed, which was particularized for two flow regimes: bubbly and transition (νSGR≤0.08 m/s) and churn turbulent flow (νSGR> 0.08 m/s) respectively. The correlation was applied in bioreactors of different scale with a maximum error of ±30%.
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Received: 3 June 1998
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Gavrilescu, M., Tudose, R. Modelling mixing parameters in concentric-tube airlift bioreactors . Bioprocess Engineering 20, 423–428 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004490050610
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004490050610