Computational and experimental investigation of flow and particle settlingin a roller bottle bioreactor

Citation
Fj. Muzzio et al., Computational and experimental investigation of flow and particle settlingin a roller bottle bioreactor, BIOTECH BIO, 63(2), 1999, pp. 185-196
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Biotecnology & Applied Microbiology",Microbiology
Journal title
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
ISSN journal
00063592 → ACNP
Volume
63
Issue
2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
185 - 196
Database
ISI
SICI code
0006-3592(19990420)63:2<185:CAEIOF>2.0.ZU;2-R
Abstract
It is shown that cell settling is a key factor affecting the performance of roller bottle bioreactors. The two-dimensional cross-sectional flow at the center of a roller bottle is simulated using a finite difference method, a nd the settling behavior of cells is simulated using particle dynamics algo rithms and validated experimentally using fluorescent particles. The settli ng behavior of particles in the roller bottle flow is studied using both st eady and time dependent rotation rates. Under steady flow conditions the fl ow is divided into two regions: one where the particles settle to the wall and one where the particles remain suspended indefinitely. The relative siz e of these two regions depends on the ratio of the settling velocity to the rotation rate of the bottle. For unsteady flows generated by periodic chan ges of the bottle rotation direction, the settling of cells is accelerated significantly, leading to complete deposition in just a few turns of the bo ttle. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.