Local gas holdup measurement in aerated agitated bioreactors

Abstract

A simple, inexpensive apparatus wholly consisting of readily available components is developed to measure the local volumetric gas holdup in aerated agitated bioreactors based on the principle of phase separation. The device can determine the gas holdup to as low as 0.1% with a measurement error of less than 10%. To prevent under-withdrawing or over-withdrawing the dispersed gas, a sampling rate yielding a superficial velocity at the sampling probe opening equal to -50% of the stirrer tip speed is recommended.