LIQUID-FILM BIOREACTORS FOR CELL MASS-PRODUCTION

In order to make heat and mass transfer processes in bioreactors more intensive, the turbulent liquid film flow which is proposed for realiz ation in multitubular reactors has been developed. Experiments have be en carried out in tubes with smooth and rough surfaces at cocurrent ga s and liquid film downward flows with a view to determine the values o f the mass transfer coefficients in turbulent liquid films and the liq uid hold-up in contact tubes. The liquid viscosity and REYNOLDS number are changing in a wide range (from 2000 to 60000). The results show t hat the maximum values of the mass transfer coefficients and an accept able hold-up can be obtained in tubes with rough surfaces at high REYN OLDs numbers of the liquid film. The results of culturing yeasts on hy drolyzate in a laboratory-size liquid film fermenter are also presente d.