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Lab 7 Determination of KLa in Bioreactor 231029 024751
Lab 7 Determination of KLa in Bioreactor 231029 024751
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Table of Content
1.0 Abstract
2.0 Introduction
3.0 Aims
4.0 Theory
5.0 Apparatus
6.0 Methodology/Procedure
8.0 Calculations
11.0 Recommendations
12.0 References
13.Appendix
1.0 Abstract
An aerobic organism or aerobe is an organism that can survive and grow in an oxygenated environment.
The main objective of the experiment is to measure the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) of the stirred
tank reactor with bubble aeration. The method being used is static gassing out method. The volumetric mass
transfer coefficient at aeration equals to 0.5 L/min, 1.0 L/min, 1.5 L/min, 2.0 L/min and 2.5 L/min are 0.0002
s-',0.0002 s-, 0.0010 s-1and 0.0012 s, respectively. As the aeration magnitude increases, so does the value of the
volumetric mass transfer coefficient will become greater. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient at agitation
200 rpm, 400 rpm, 600 rpm, 800 rpm, and 1000 rpm are 0.0002 s-1,0.0003 s-',0.0010 s-'and 0.0012 s-',
respectively. The higher the agitation magnitude, the higher the value of the mass transfer coefficient. Lastly, the
volumetric mass transfer coefficient at temperature 20_ 30, 40, and 50 are 0.0002 s', 0.0010 s-', 0.0014 s-l and
0.0020 s1,respectively.As the temperature increased, the magnitude of the volumetric mass transfer coefficient
also increases. The most outstanding is agitation followed by aeration and temperature as to compare both the
parameters being manipulated in the experiment.
2.0 Introduction
A bioreactor is a vessel that supports a biologically active environment which chemical processes carried
out involves organisms or biochemically active substances derived from such organisms. This process can either
be aerobic or anaerobic. In many biochemical processes, the oxygen supply to the broths is not enough to meet
the demand of the microorganisms. Oxygen transfer is commonly the limiting factor in the aerobic bioprocess
due to the low solubility of oxygen in the medium thus making aeration a critical factor in industrial aerobic
fermentations.Even so,the method being used for the experiment is the gassing out method in the absence of
bacteria.
In a stirred tank bioreactor, the oxygen mass transfer is afunction of many variables,such as the physical
properties of the liquid, the geometry of the vessel and the operational conditions. Bioreactor imparts a
significant role in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals,enzymes,food products, etc. (M. Chitra, 2018).
Maintaining the appropriate concentration of dissolved oxygen is essential as to initiate the reaction and achieve
the desired product. Measurement of kLa provides an important information about a bioprocess or bioreactor.
These determination ensure that processing conditions are such that an adequate supply of oxygen is available
for the rapid increase of cells (Schuger, 2001).
The microbial growth pattern in a bioreactor is the growth curve consisting of a lag,exponential,
stationary and if the culture persists long enough will undergo a death phase. The lag phase is where the cell
concentration shows a little increasing pattern. The cells are adjusting to their new environment, synthesizing
enzymes and getting ready to begin reproducing. The next phase is the exponential growth where the rate of
growth of the cell is proportional to the cell concentration. At this phase, all the enzyme's pathways for
metabolizing the substrate are in place. Thus, the cells are dividing at maximum rate. Next, the stationary phase.
The net growth rate is zero since the cells reached the minimum biological space. Lastly, death phase where the
live in cell concentration decreases.
3.0 Aims
The objectives of the experiment are:
1. To use the gassing method for the experiment.
2. To determine the driving force, (C*-C1) of the stirred tank reactor with bubble aeration.
3. To measure the volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa of the stirred tank reactorwith bubble
aeration.
4. To quantify the effects of operating variables on the provision of oxygen.
4.0 Theory
The gassing-out method is used during the experiment to determine the volumetric mass
transfer coeffcient, kLa in the MINIFORS (Stirred Tank Reactor) using water as the only simulating
media. Nitrogen gas is used to gas out the liquid so that the oxygen concentration of the solution is
reduced hence making the solution scrubbed off with oxygen.
The increase in dissolved oxygen is monitored after the deoxygenated liquid is aerated and
agitated. This method utilizes the graphical technique to determine the experimental values off
volumetric mass transfer coefficient, kLa. The oxygen transfer rate decreases as the driving force
decreases. The oxygen transfer rate will be equal to the slope of the tangent to the curve of values of
dissolved oxygen concentration against time of aeration.
Oxygen Transfer Rate (OTR) is the rate at which oxygen is transferred into solution.
OTR=k1A(C*-C1)
Where,
- oxygen transfer coefficient(cm/h)
A - gas-liquid interfacial area(c㎡/cm3)
- volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (h-l)
C* -saturated dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/L)
CL - actual dissolved oxygen concentration in the broth (mg/L)
OTR -oxygen transfer rate (mg O2/L.h)
Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR) is the rate at which bacteria or other microorganisms consume
oxygen.
OUR=qO2X
Where,
qO2-specific rate of oxygen consumption (mmol O2/gdw.h)
X -bacteria growth(gdw/L)
gdw -gram dry weight of cells
Substituting the OUR and OTR equation yields the following equation,
dCL/dt=kLA(C*-CL)-qO2X
dCL/dt=kLA(C*-(
fdCL/(C*-CL) ={kLA dt
ln(C*-CL)=kLA.t
The plot of the In (C *- CL) against time, the slope equals to-k,A
Effect of Aeration
1. The apparatus is being set up by ensuring well conditioned of the reactor.
2. pO2probe is polarized for two hours before the main experiment was started.pO2F
3. The agitation parameter is set up at 100 rpm and the temperature parameter,30° ℃.
4. The pump was switched off.
5. The first aeration parameter was set up at 0.5 L/min and prepared for a two point calibration.
6. Purging of nitrogen gas takes place until the partial pressure of the oxygen inside the system
reached 0%.
7. The nitrogen gas tube was then detached from the reactor and the pump was switched on again
to allow aeration inside the tank.
8. For every five seconds interval, the value of the actual dissolved oxygen concentration,pO2(%)
(%) was recorded.
9. The steps above was repeated for different aeration parameters which are 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and
2.5L/min.
Effect of Agitation
1. The apparatus is being set up by ensuring well conditioned of the reactor.
2. pO2probe is polarized for two hours before the main experiment was started.pO2P
3. The aeration parameter is set up at 0.5 L/min and the temperature parameter,30° ℃.
4. The pump was switched off.
5. The first agitation parameter was set at 100 rpm and prepared for a two point calibration.
6. Purging of nitrogen gas takes place until the partial pressure of the oxygen inside the system reached
0%.
7. The nitrogen gas tube was then detached from the reactor and the pump was switched on again to
allow aeration inside the tank.
8. For every five seconds interval, the value of the actual dissolved oxygen concentration,pO2(%(%)was
recorded. The measurements stopped when three consecutive same readings was obtained.
9. The steps above was repeated for different agitation parameters which are 200, 300,and 400 rpm.
Effect of Temperature
The figure above depicts the oxygen concentration curve decreases significantly over time. As the
aeration magnitude increases, the rate of oxygen mass transfer or volumetric mass transfer coefficient
also increases.
Volumetric Mass Transfer Coefficient, kLA (s') 0.0002 0.0002 0.0001 0.0012
Figure 7-Effect of different agitation at constant temperature and aeration
The figure above depicts the In oxygen concentration curve decreases significantly over time. As the
agitation magnitude increases, the rate of oxygen mass transfer or the volumetric mass transfer coefficient
decreases.
Volumetric Mass Transfer Coefficient, kLA (s') 0.0002 0.0003 0.0014 0.0012
Figure 8- Effect of different temperature at constant agitation and aeration
The figure above depicts the Ln oxygen concentration curve decreases significantly over time. As the
temperature increases, the rate of oxygen mass transfer or the volumetric mass transfer coefficient also increases.
Temperature (℃) 30 35 40 45
Volumetric Mass Transfer Coefficient, kLA (s') 0.0012 0.0010 0.0014 0.0020
Figure 9- Volumetric mass transfer coefficient at varying (a) Aeration
The figureabove depicts the volumetric mass transfer coefficient at varying operating parameters which
is (a) aeration, (b) agitation and (c) temperature. All the curves from the graphs above are showing escalating
pattern where the value of volumetric mass transfer coefficient increases as the value of those parameters
increased.
Based on the graph (a) aeration, the pattern is approximately showing constant value which is between
0.0384 ~ 0.0374 s-' of mass transfer coefficient. Hence, it can be assumed that it is the maximum capacity of the
aeration for the process.
8.0 Calculations
The saturated oxygen concentration in water varies with temperature. Therefore, values for C*are
given in the table below:
0 14.6 0.456
10 11.4 0.335
15 10.3 0.322
20 9.24 0.288
25 8.42 0.263
30 7.75 0.242
35 7.29 0.228
40 6.90 0.215
Note: The oxygen concentration is atpO2=100% at Os assuming the partial pressure of oxygen as
the concentration of oxygen at the respective time for the experiment
Sample calculation for experimental driving force (oxygen concentration)
Sample calculation for slope of the tangent of the Ln oxygen concentration curve
y=mx+c
The linear equation is obtained by introducing the linear forecasting threadline to the plotted graph
of In (C*n(C*-C1)aagainst time.
y=-0.0002x+1.8761
The slope of the In oxygen concentration curve at aeration L/min agitatiorion= 100100 rpm And
temperaturature= 30°C ism = 0.0002,,using the static gassing out method.
m=-kLA
kLA=-m
kLA=-(0.0002)
kLA=0.0002
9.0 Discussion
A bioreactor is a closed vessel with adequate arrangement for aeration, agitation,temperature and pH
control, and drain and overflow vent to remove the waste biomass of cultured microorganisms along with their
products. The bioreactor is used for commercial production in fermentation industries and is a device in which
substrate of low value is utilized by living cells or enzymes to generate a product of higher value. (Manisha,
2018). All bioreactors deal with heterogeneous systems dealing with two or more phases.Therefore,optimal
conditions for fermentation necessitate efficient transfer of mass, heat and momentum from one phase to
another. However,only a parameters are focused on for this experiment which is the agitation,aeration and
temperature.
The experiment was carried out to find out the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLA)of the stirred
tank reactor with bubble aeration. This experiment is performed by using the gassing out method which means
that there is no presence of cell or bacteria in the bioreactor hence no amount of oxygen is being consumed
throughout the experiment. The partial pressure of oxygen gas until it reaches a constant value of approximately
100% was being recorded.The mass transfer coefficient indicates the rate of oxygen transfer between the
gaseous and reaction liquid (which is distilled water).
The value of the mass transfer coefficient is achieved from the slope of the tangent to the curve of
logarithm of driving force against time. The driving force is the dissolved oxygen concentration which is assumed
as the partial pressure of the gas inside the reactor.When the partial pressure of oxygen gas reached a constant
value, it can be assumed that the system has reached the maximum saturation point for the oxygen gas.
First operating parameter is aeration which is one of the most critical part of a bioreactor as to ensure a
proper oxygen availability throughout the system. Aeration helps in mixing the gas bubbles through the liquid
medium where water and air are brought into close contact in order to remove dissolved gaseous. The
Based on Figure 6, as the aeration magnitude increased, the value of the volumetric mass transfer
coefficient also increased. To explain that, the rate of mass transfer of oxygen from air to distilled water increases
with increased aeration value because the collision between the air and water is greater. Aeration not only
supply necessary oxygen in the bioreactor but also eliminates exhaust gas generated (in the presence of broth).
The air is allowed to spread out throughout the bioreactor.However,as the volumetric coefficient reached a
constant value, it indicates that the aeration capacity is at maximum where the kL value obtained is~ at 0.0012
s-!.
Next parameter is agitation. The agitation functions as to require dispersion of air or oxygen in water are
that they provide uniform dispersion of gas bubbles. Also, it maximizes retention time of the gas in water by
driving the gas bubbles to the bottom of the tank and enhance the mass transfer. (Yong, 2018). However,the
higher agitation may cause increase the power consumption. As the agitation increased, the value of mass
transfer coefficient also increased as the contact between air and distilled water became more intense. The
volumetric mass transfer coefficient at agitation 200 rpm, 300 rpm, and 400 rpm are 0.0002 s-', 0.0003 s1,0.0010
s'and 0.0012 s',respectively.
Based on Figure 7, as the agitation magnitude increases, the value of mass transfer coefficient also
increases. To explain that, the higher agitation will increase the rate of oxygen transfer from air to distilled water.
Since the speed of the stirring increases, the mixing between the air and distilled water reaches to a uniform
because the surface contact area between both substances has increased. Hence, agitation disperses the oxygen
bubbles and promotes mass transfer of the gas bubbles through the gas- liquid interface.
Next, temperature. Increasing temperatures inversely affects both the volumetric mass transfer
coefficient and oxygen solubility in medium. Oxygen solubility in pure water falls with increasing
temperature (i.e.,-(-0.5x10-3 k10-3 kg/m-3 between 35° ℃ and 30°C; Doran, P.). The volumetric mass
transfer coefficient at temperature 30°C, 35°℃,40°℃,and 45°℃ are 0.0012 s-1,0.0010 s', 0.0014 s-'
and 0.0020 s-', respectively.-, 0.0014 s-1an
Based on Figure 8, as the temperature increases, the volumetric mass transfer coefficient also increases.
Reliable temperature control is important for bioreactors. However, bioprocesses are very sensiive to changes.
Temperature changes of less than 5°C can significantly affect the rate of biological reactionsand even denature
Lastly,as we compared all the three parameters, the most significant one is the agitation followed
aeration and temperature, respectively. Based on Figure 9 (b), agitation showed highest increment of the
volumetric mass transfer coefficient compared to aeration and temperature parameters. Hence, from the data
and results obtained from the experiment, it can be concluded that bioreaction is highly dependant on the
agitation. The higher value of agitation allows more and more oxygen being in contact and dispersed with the
reaction liquid. In terms of the presence of bacteria, more oxygen is allowed to be in contact or consumed by the
bacteria thus increasing the growth rate of the bacteria itself.
10.0 Conclusion
The method used for the experiment is static gassing out method. The volumetric mass transfer
coefficient at aeration equals to 0.5 L/min, 1.0 L/min, 1.5 L/min and 2.0 L/min are 0.0002 s-1,0.0002 s-1,0.0010
s-1 and 0.0012 s-1,respectively. The higher the aeration magnitude,the greater the value of the volumetric mass
transfer coefficient. Whereby for agitation, the volumetric mass transfer coefficient at agitation 100 rpm, 200
rpm, 300 rpm and 400 rpm are 0.0002 s-',0.0003 s-', 0.0010 s-'and 0.0012 s-', respectively. The greater the
agitation magnitude,the greater the value of the mass transfer coefficient. As for temperature at 30°C,
35°C,40C,and 45°C, the value of the volumetric mass transfer coefficient are 0.0012 s-', 0.0010 s-',0.0014s-l and
0.0020 s-1, respectively. As the temperature increased, the magnitude of the volumetric mass transfer
coefficient also increased. Based on figures, by comparing all these three parameters, the most notable one is
agitation followed by aeration and temperature.
11.0 Recommendations
Practically, there are two methods in gassing out method to determine the mass transfer coefficient, kLa
which are dynamic and static. Students may utilize the dynamic method instead or to achieve a satisfactory
result, make use of both methods then compare the experimental values obtained from both methods. Next,
when purging out the nitrogen gas, students are required to proceed with the experiment as fast as possible as
to avoid oxygen spreading out in the bioreactor because it will affect the percentage of the concentration of
oxygen available inside the tank. Hence, it is important to ensure the percentage of oxygen inside the tank is at
0%after purging takes place. Also, other than employing the gassing out method, the experiment can also be
carried out by using Sulphite Oxidation method or called as Oxygen Balance Method.The experiment can be
repeated twice or more as to obtain accuracy and consistency of the experimental data. However, there is a time
constraint and equipment availability must be taken into consideration as there is only two bioreactors
functioning in the bioreactor laboratory at the chemical engineering faculty. Other parameters can also be use to
obtain the kLa value such as varying the pH value. Lastly, other reaction liquid can be substituted other than
distilled water itself.
12.0 References
McDonough R.J. (1997) Agitation in fermenters and bioreactors. In: Goldberg E. (eds)Handbook of Downstream
Processing. Springer, Dordrecht
Yong Zhou (2018).Effects of agitation, aeration and temperture of a Novel Glycoprotein GP-1and Scale up based
on volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient.
Life Sciences. (2017).7 factors that affect oxygen transfer to cells in bioreactors. Retrieved from
https://www.gelifesciences.com/en/us/solutions/bioprocessing/knowledge-center/7-factors-
that-a ffect-oxygen-transfer-to-cells-in-bioreactor
Manisha Garg (2018). Fermentor (Bioreactor): History, Design and Its Construction.Retrieved from
http://www.biologydiscussion.com/industrial-microbiology-2/fermentor-bioreactor-history-
desig n-and-its-construction/55756
13. Appendix
Time(s) 1T℃ 30 35 40 45
165 99.6
170 100
MINV
Figure 12: Effect of Temperature at constant aeration=2.0 L/min and agitation=400 rpm
Effect of Agitation (Constant Temperature:30℃, Aeration:2.0rpm.)
agifation
100 200 300 400 500 600
(rpm)
time(s)
0 0 0 0
0
5 22.9 6.55 1.14 1.02
10 23.6 14.4 670 5.81
15 24.5 169 13.3 10.9
20 26.0 20.2 20.9 20.3
25 29.4 23.6 28.7 28.3
Figure 13: Effect of Agitation at constant aeration=2.0 L/min and temperature at 30℃
소 100 7 Z
NO: DATE:
395 98.7
400 95.8
405 76.3
410 POP bazicT
Figure 13: Effect of Agitation at constant aeration=2.0 L/min and temperature at 30℃
(continued)
300
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0 98-92 85.01
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Note: Some of the data are obtained from group F and group G.