Evaluating the Use of Airlift Pumps for Bioreactor Applications

Abstract

-In this study, preliminary experiments were performed in order to evaluate the performance of bioreactor using airlift pump. A patented airlift technology is integrated in a bioreactor and compared to a stirred tank bioreactor. Oxygen mass transfer and water salinity were used to characterize the mixing effectiveness. For the same aeration rate, power consumption is used to compare both conventional and airlift systems at different operating conditions. Also, airlift pump found to create a larger number of bubbles and consequently larger total surface area that allow for more interfacial oxygen transport. The results show a great potential of airlift use in bioreactors to achieve better bioreactor performance with a huge power reduction.