SIMULATION OF A HIGH RECIRCULATION AIRLIFT REACTOR FOR STEADY-STATE OPERATION

This paper describes a new mathematical model of the fluid dynamic pro cesses in a high recirculation airlift reactor. The model was created to provide information to assist in the design of a reactor, in partic ular considering the selection of parameters to adjust in order to ach ieve a steady state solution. The modelling of two phase-flow of air a nd water in small scale airlift bio-reactors is considered. This model ling was applied to the high recirculation airlift reactor process. A new computer simulation was created and a test program performed to ev aluate the models used. The results of this evaluation are presented. The evaluation showed that variation of the superficial gas velocity o r the simultaneous variation of the downcomer and riser diameters coul d be used to produce a steady-state design solution. Copyright (C) 199 6 AWQ.