2.4.

Fermentation mode
Table 2.5 Fermentation Mode Characteristic and Description ( Chisti, 1999; Doran, 1995;

Flickinger & et al. 1999; Minieri & et al., 1953; Willliams, 2002)
Mode of
Operation
Batch

Characteristics

Continuous

Fed-batch

Reduced risk of contamination or cell mutation due to a

relatively brief growth period
Flexibility with varying product systems
Lower capital cost compared to continuous processes
for the same reactor volume
High raw material conversion
Low productivity due to nonproductive processes:
cleaning, sterilizing, emptying, etc.
Inefficient for producing large commercial quantities
High labor cost due non-stationary process
Minimal flexibility, since only slight variations in the
process are possible (throughput, temperature, medium
composition, oxygen concentration, etc.)
Process contamination is high due to long growth
period
Capital cost of equipment is high
Side product formation is high
High Productivity
Lesser labor Cost due to automation
Less nonproductive time
Reproducibility of results
High Labor Cost
Moderate Capital Cost
Moderate Productivity
Flexible operation; Product quality can be easily
optimized based on desired condition
Reduced side product formation
Risk of Contamination is low
Ease of changing operations

1
1

Evaluation
2
3
4
3
2
1

total
1.75

1.55

1.8

In our selection for the best possible mode of operation for our reactor, a major criteria
would be the productivity. It is important to account for the productivity of the operation since it
will come about to the profitability of the plant. Since our product is not new to the market, it is
needed that the process can cope with the high demand as to compete with the market.
Productivity is related to the process stability in which the productive time, down time and plant

shutdowns are incorporated. Minimizing the duration of the outage can have a major impact in
reducing the cost of loss of production. Thus, a continuous operation is selected