METHOD FOR COMPUTER-SIMULATION OF COMPLEX CONTINUOUS CULTIVATION OF MICROORGANISMS

A numerical method suitable for computer simulation of complex continu ous cultivation of microorganisms is described in detail. The method m akes possible an iterative solution of a set of nonlinear algebraic eq uations that represent the steady state mass balances of a chemostat. The continuation algorithm makes it possible to map the dependence of state variables for the whole range of dilution rates. Easy implementa tion of the method is possible when the computer code written in BASIC language is used. Two examples, first for oxygen limited cultivation, second for anaerobic acetone-ethanol-butanol fermentation, demonstrat e the feasibility of the method.