Oxygen transfer during batch cultivation in an airlift tower fermentor

Abstract

Oxygen transfer was studied in an airlift tower fermentor with motionless mixers (Kenics type). The intensity of oxygen transfer was characterized by its volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa, which was determined by the balance method. Experimental data of kLa were described by correlation equation and compared with results obtained for the airlift fermentor without motionless mixers with respect to energetic consumption. In addition, growth characteristics of the yeast culture Turulopsis ethanolitolerans cultivated on ethanol were also investigated.