Growth processes in a cascade of bioreactors: Mathematical models

Mathematical modeling of continuous multiple bioreactors is complicated by two factors. First, the chemical environments differ in different reactors, so biomass receives an environmental shock when if is transfered between r eactors. Second, biomass occurs as discrete cells, which of course are and remain segregated from one another; so an element of biomass that enters a reactor does riot mix with the biomass already present. This differs from t he behavior of an element of liquid which enters a reactor in that such art element quickly mixes with the liquid already present. The biomass in a bi oreactor receiving biomass from an external source is therefore heterogeneo us with respect to the history of environmental conditions and composition. This. article shows how to construct a mathematical model of multiple bior eactor apparatus that accounts for these complications. It also describes s impler models that no not account for both of them.