Flow modeling and structural characterization in fungal pellets.

Area of Science:

• Multiphase flow modeling
• Biotechnology
• Fungal pellet analysis

Background:

• Fungal pellets are complex hierarchical systems with diverse applications.
• Modeling transport phenomena in fungal pellets is essential for optimizing biotechnological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and analyze an upscaled model for total mass and momentum transport in fungal pellets.
• To develop a model that accounts for both intracellular and extracellular phases within the biomass.

Main Methods:

• Utilized volume averaging and adjoint homogenization methods.
• Developed effective-medium coefficients by solving adjoint closure problems on representative 3D microstructural domains.
• Constructed microstructural domains based on Laccaria trichodermophora biological structures.

Main Results:

• The upscaled model was validated against direct numerical simulations.
• No significant impact of dolipore status (open/closed) on fluid flow was observed.
• The contribution of the intracellular fluid phase to overall transport was quantified, differentiating from classical Darcy's law.

Conclusions:

• The developed upscaled model provides a foundation for studying transport phenomena in fungal pellets.
• This model enhances understanding of fluid dynamics within fungal biomass.
• The findings are critical for advancing knowledge-based biotechnological applications involving fungal pellets.