title: Prediction of mass transfer coefficients in non-Newtonian fermentation media using first-principles methods.
abstract: Bubble flows in non-Newtonian fluids were analyzed using first-principles methods with the aim to compute and predict mass transfer coefficients in such fermentation media. The method we used is a Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of the reactive multiphase flow with deformable boundaries and interfaces. With this method, we are able for the first time to calculate mass transfer coefficients in non-Newtonian liquids of different rheologies without any experimental data. In the current article, shear-thinning fluids are considered. However, the results provide the basis for further investigations, such as the study of viscoelastic fluids.
authors.affiliation: Institute RNS, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Radl
authors.forename: Johannes G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Khinast
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005285:Fermentation; D008954:Models, Biological; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods*