The influence of fluid mixing upon respiratory patterns for extended growth of a methylotroph in an air-lift fermenter.
The influence of methanol dispersion and fluid mixing upon respiratory patterns observed during unlimited fedbatch growth of the methylotrophic bacterium Methylophilus methylotrophus has been investigated. A concentric tube air-lift fermenter was employed for which the mixing and fluid circulation patterns have been well characterized. Respiratory quotients showed a marked dependence upon the position in the vessel at which methanol was injected, the volumetric rate of such methanol addition, the fluid circulation time, and the local mixing behavior; the latter two factors of which are both determined by the air throughput. Such variations are discussed on the basis of simple mixing concepts and observations of fluid dispersion.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3RA, England.
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Slater