PERIODIC OPERATION OF A BIOREACTOR WITH INPUT MULTIPLICITIES

The performance of a continuous bioreactor under periodic inlet substr ate concentration is theoretically analyzed for productivity improveme nt which under conventional steady-state operation shows input multipl icities in the feed substrate concentration. Two values of feed substr ate concentration give identical productivity under conventional stead y-state operation. A periodic rectangular pulse is assumed for the fee d substrate concentration. It is shown by simulation that under concen tration forcing the average productivity is significantly different fo r these two substrate concentrations. The larger value of feed substra te concentration gives improved average productivity and shows a reson ance with the period of oscillation. The effect of periodic operation on the average productivity under the input multiplicities in dilution rate is also analysed.