Examples and Problems:

1.

A large scale bioreactor (nominal volume = 80m3; working volume = 0.625 of nominal) operated at 30C and
dilution rate of 0.4 hr-1 is used to study the effect of aeration on E. coli. Oxygen- enriched air (40 % oxygen)
at 1 atm is provided to the culture medium at a rate of Q = 0.70 VVM (volume of air per working volume of
reactor per minute). The ungassed power required for liquid agitation per working volume is 1235 W/m3
with impeller speed of 2 rps using flat-blade impeller. Under these conditions, the cell yield on oxygen is
1.12 gdw/g O2. Formulate the optimum culture medium needed to grow or achieve the highest possible cell
concentration in this operation. Solubility of oxygen in water in equilibrium with pure oxygen at 1 atm at
30C is 1.16 mmolO2/L or 37.1 mgO2/L.
Glucose, NH4NO3, KH2PO4 and Na2SO4 are the major components of the medium. Cell composition by
mass is C:50%, N: 15%, P:3%, S: 1%.
Atomic weights; C=12,H=1,O=16, N=14, P=31, S=32, K=39, Na=23

Pg
K la = 0.022
VL

0.95

.vs

Po 2 .N .Di3

Pg = 1.11
0.56

0.67

0.45

KLa = hr-1
VL = liquid volume, m3
vs = superficial velocity of air based on bioreactor cross-section, m/hr
Pg = power consumed for agitation in gassed system, W
Po = power consumed for agitation in ungassed system, W
N = impeller speed, rps
Q = volumetric of air working volume per minute (VVM)
Di = impeller diameter, m
2.

A 10 liter stirred tank is used to cultivate hybridoma cells. Dry air is sparged from the bottom at 1.0 L/min
to supply the oxygen. The gas composition in the outlet is 16% oxygen, 3.5% CO2; 6.5% water vapor and
nitrogen. The ambient pressure and temperature are 1 atm and 25C. The dissolved oxygen in the reactor is
controlled at 20% of saturation with ambient air. Molar volume of ideal gas = 24.5 L/mol. Nitrogen in air is
inert and will not be used in the reaction. Assume reactor is at steady-state.
a. What is the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient in hr-1? Calculate without using any MT
correlation.
b. The oxygen uptake rate of hybridoma cells is 5x10-11 mmole O2/ng dcw-hr. What is the cell
concentration?
c. What is the respiratory quotient? The mole fraction of CO2 in the ambient air is negligible.