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Bioreactor
Bioreactor
Definition:
A bioreactor is a type of fermentation vessel that is used for the production of
various chemicals and biological reactions. It is a closed container with adequate
arrangement for aeration, agitation, temperature and pH control, and drain or
overflow vent to remove the waste biomass of cultured microorganisms along with
their products.
Airlift fermentor
The airlift reactor is generally used for gas-liquid or gas-liquid-solid contact
devices. It is also known as a tower reactor.
A bioreactor using an airlift system divides the fluid volume into two zones
to improve circulation, oxygen transfer, and equalize forces in the reactor.
This equipment has several advantages such as its simplicity of design
because it doesn’t contain any moving parts or agitators, its easy
sterilization, its low energy requirements, and its low cost.
Bubble column fermentor
The base of the column air or gas is introduced via perforated pipes or plates, or
metal micro porous sparger.
These reactors are simple in construction, easy maintenance, and have a low
operating cost
Bubble columns reactors are used in biochemical processes such as
fermentation and biological wastewater treatment. It is also used in many
chemical, petrochemical, and biochemical industries.
Packed bed fermentor
A packed bed fermentor is a bed of solid particles, having biocatalyst on or
within, the matrix of solids.
Frequently used in chemical processing processes such as absorption,
distillation, stripping, separation process, and catalytic reactions, packed bed
reactors are also called fixed bed reactors.
This reactor has many benefits, like a high conversion rate for the catalyst,
ease of operation, low construction and operation costs, increased contact
between reactant and catalyst, and the ability to work in high temperatures
and pressures.
Photobioreactor
A photobioreactor is a specialized unit for fermentation that is either illuminated
by direct sunlight or artificially illuminated
They are made up of glass or more commonly transparent plastic and the tubes or
flat panels is consist of light receiving systems.
In this bioreactor, centrifugal pumps or airlift pumps can be used to circulate
the medium through solar receivers.
Photo-bioreactors are usually operated in a continuous mode at a
temperature in the range of 25–40 °C.
Photobioreactors are used for the photosynthetic culture of microalgae and
cyanobacteria to produce products such as astaxanthin and β-carotene.