A simple mathematical model of the process of Candida utilis growth in a bioreactor

摘要

A methodology is suggested in this paper for the description of microbial processes following a pattern similar to that used for the description of chemical processes in which physical and chemical phenomena occurring in reactors are considered. The description is based on stoichiometric relations, kinetics and mass transfer characteristics. For process simulation, only the kinetic parameters are necessary as experimental data. The stoichiometry of the conversion reactions is calculated by using the black box model which is based on elemental balances and from the yield of biomass from the C-source. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient is estimated by using a theoretical model based on a mechanical energy balance, Higbie's penetration theory and Kolmogoroff's theory of isotrophic turbulence. It is shown that the method can be used to simulate the curves of biomass production, substrate consumption, variation of dissolved oxygen concentration and carbon dioxide production for batch cultures of Candida utilis conducted in an airlift reactor over a wide range of growth conditions.