Modeling of immobilized cell reactor for propionic acid fermentation

Area of Science:

• Biochemical Engineering
• Chemical Reaction Engineering
• Process Modeling

Background:

• Optimizing fermentation processes requires accurate models of reactor hydrodynamics and kinetics.
• Immobilized cell reactors are effective for producing chemicals like propionic acid.
• Understanding mixing effects is crucial for reactor performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a mathematical model for steady-state reactor behavior in immobilized cell systems.
• To investigate the impact of liquid flow rate and gas evolution on reactor mixing.
• To predict cell concentration and substrate consumption profiles.

Main Methods:

• Developed a mathematical model combining the tanks-in-series model with fermentation kinetics.
• Conducted residence time distribution (RTD) studies to analyze mixing.
• Validated the model using experimental data from an immobilized cell reactor.

Main Results:

• The tanks-in-series model adequately represented the reactor's hydrodynamic behavior.
• The integrated model successfully predicted "chemostat equivalent" cell concentration and substrate consumption profiles.
• RTD studies quantified the effects of flow rate and gas evolution on mixing.

Conclusions:

• The developed model provides a robust framework for analyzing and optimizing immobilized cell reactors.
• The study highlights the importance of considering hydrodynamics and kinetics for accurate process prediction.
• The model facilitates the determination of optimal operating conditions for propionic acid production.