Modeling of residence time distribution : application to a three-phase inverse fluidized bed based on a Mellin transform

The study is focused on modeling of gas and liquid residence time distribution in an aerated liquid system of an inverse fluidized bed bioreactor. Two opposite strategies are currently available: the use of powerful complex computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation and the phenomenological semi-empirical models. In this work, a specific methodology is proposed, as follows: the reactor is modeled as a reactor network containing a combination of zones with basic ideal flow patterns such as perfect mixed flow (PMF) and plug flow (PF). The approach is based on a Mellin-modification of the Laplace transformation over the relevant equations. The method allows zero-time solutions for identification analysis. The study shows that the increase of the gas flowrate leads to higher mixing intensity of the gas phase. Decreasing the gas velocity, the inverse fluidized bed tends to perform as a plug flow reactor. The liquid phase performs closer to disperse plug flow

CFD modelling of two-phase stirred bioreaction systems by segregated solution of the Euler–Euler model

An advanced study of a bioreactor system involving a Navier–Stokes based model has been accomplished. The model allows a more realistic impeller induced flow image to be combined with the Monod bioreaction kinetics reported previously. The time-course of gluconic acid production by Aspergillus niger strain is simulated at kinetic conditions proposed in the literature. The simulation is based on (1) a stepwise solution strategy resolving first the fluid flow field, further imposing oxygen mass transfer and bioreaction with subsequent analysis of flow interactions, and (2) a segregated solution of the model replacing the multiple iterations per grid cell with single iterations. The numerical results are compared with experimental data for the bioreaction dynamics and show satisfactory agreement. The model is used for assessment of the viscosity effect upon the bioreactor performance. A 10-fold viscosity rise results in 2-fold decrease of KLa and 25% decrease of the specific gluconic acid production rate. The model allows better understanding of the mechanism of the important bioprocess

Liquid membrane extraction of bio-active amphiphilic substances: Recovery of surfactin

The interest of application of liquid membrane (pertraction) processes for recovery of biosurfactants from aqueous media was demonstrated. Transport of pure surfactin in three-liquid-phase system was studied. Surfactin was successfully extracted from slightly acid media (pH 5.65–6.05) applying batch pertraction in a rotating discs contactor and using n-heptane as liquid membrane. The process efficiencywas found to be strongly affected by the feed solution acidity (83% at pHF 6.05 and 97% at pHF 5.65 after 4 h pertraction). An atypical pH effect was observed when the behaviour of surfactin extraction from aqueous media by non-polar solvents (n-heptane and n-octane)was studied. The obtained high extraction degrees fromboth acid and basic media and the clearly reduced degree of extraction from neutral media could be attributed to the different conformations of surfactin in these media

CFD stimulation of gluconic acid production in a stirred gas-liquid fermenter

Designing large-scale stirred bioreactors with performance closely matching the one achieved in lab-scale fermenters presents continuous challenge. In this contribution, dynamic modelling of the aerobic biocatalytic conversion process in viscous batch stirred tank reactor is developed. Its operation is illustrated by simulation of the interaction of fluid flow, mass transfer and reaction relevant to gluconic acid production by a strictly aerophilic Aspergiluc niger based on a “twofluid” model. As a result of this simulation, the velocity fields, the local substrate, dissolved oxygen, product and biomass concentration profiles were obtained. Constant bubble size and global gas-liquid mass transfer were assumed. The algorithm employed could be used for fast evaluation procedures regarding predictions and feedback control of aerobic bioreactor performance

Calcium phosphate precipitation modeling in a pellet reactor

The calcium phosphate precipitation in a pellet reactor can be evaluated by two main parameters: the phosphate conversion ratio and the phosphate removal efficiency. The conversion ratio depends mainly on the pH. The pellet reactor efficiency depends not only on pH but also on the hydrodynamical conditions. An efficiency model based on a thermochemical precipitation approach and an orthokinetic aggregation model is presented. In this paper, the results show that optimal conditions for pellet reactor efficiency can be obtained

Gas maldistribution in a fermenter stirred with multiple turbines

The study is focused on modeling of gas maldistribution of aerated liquid systems in a multiple impeller bioreactor. The phenomenon may or may not depend on column design. The latter case is dependent merely on bed fluid dynamics and could be treated by using the methodology of the residence time distribution (RTD) theory. Accordingly, a specific methodology is proposed, as follows: the fermenter has been modelled as a reactor network involving a combination of zones representing basic ideal flow patterns. The methodology is based on the wide-spread experimental gas tracer technique extended by a new systemic identification approach. The approach is based on a Mellinmodification of the Laplace transform over the relevant equations. The method allows zero-time solutions for identification analysis. Unlike the diffusion model approximation, the technique considered allows exact approximation of the RTD curves with circulation. The proposed transfer function represents adequately the bioreactor gas maldistribution thus allowing fast overview of the studied reaction and prompt feed back control on the physical situation

Integrated process for production of surfactin Part 1: Adsorption rate of pure surfactin onto activated carbon

The work reported in this paper is aimed at studying the adsorption of surfactin from aqueous solution onto activated carbon. Among the factors,agitation rate, activated carbon particle-size, pH, temperature, initial adsorbate concentration, adsorbent amount and ionic strength of the solution were studied. Both adsorption equilibrium and kinetics showed that activated carbon acted as a suitable adsorbent for surfactin recovery. Two mechanisms represented by different kinetic models were examined, namely, the intraparticle diffusion one and the one involving chemisorption accompanied by surface coverage (conforming to the Elovich concept)

Liquid membrane extraction lipopeptides

Liquid membrane extraction lipopeptide

Lipopeptide overproduction by cell immobilization on iron-enriched light polymer particles

The study concerns surfactin and/or fengycin batch production by immobilized cells of Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21332. Light carriers designed for a three phase inverse fluidized bed biofilm reactor (TPFIBR) were used. With respect to the biofilm reactor development, a new support based on iron grafting onto polypropylene foams has been proposed. A suspension solid-state grafting process was applied to graft ferric acetylacetonate onto polypropylene (PP) foams with a density of 0.3–0.7 g/cm3. The iron contents grafted onto PP increased with the reaction time and then it tended to level off. The iron contents at 7.5 and 10 h are 0.74 and 0.75 wt%, respectively. It was specified that the equilibrium was reached at 7.5 h. Influence of particles on lipopeptide production was analyzed in two kinds of experiments: preliminary colonization step of particles, followed by production step in modified culture medium (named in this work colonization step) or direct addition of pellets in culturemedium (named production step). All PP+ iron pellets promoted biomass enhancement. The production yield was modified for all types of PP supports, containing respectively 0, 0.35 and 0.75% of iron. The immobilized cultures produced 2.09–4.3 times more biosurfactants than planktonic cells. In production experiments addition of carriers seemed tomodify the ratio between surfactin and fengycin with an enhancement of the fengycin production. The highest concentration of fengycin was obtained with addition of pellets containing 0.35% of iron

Kinetic Modeling of Isothermal or Non-isothermal Adsorption in a Pellet: Application to Adsorption Heat Pumps

Understanding the interaction between a fluid and a solid phase is of fundamental importance to the design of an adsorption process. Because the heat effects associated with adsorption are comparatively large, the assumption of isothermal behavior is a valid approximation only when uptake rates are relatively slow. In this article, we propose to determine when it is needed to choose the isothermal or non-isothermal assumption according to two physical parameters alpha (ratio convection/capacity) and beta(quantity of energy/capacity). The proposed problem is solved by a mathematical method in the Laplace domain. When alpha-> infinite (infinitely high heat transfer coefficient) or beta->0(infinitely large heat capacity), the limiting case is isothermal. When the diffusion is rapid (alpha<10) the kinetics of sorption is controlled entirely by heat transfer. If the adsorption process is to be used as a heat pump, it shall be represented by an isotherm model with alpha and beta as high as possible