Fermenter Design

Fermenter design encompasses many variables. Some of these include desired oxygen transfer rate, required dissolved oxygen level, maximum allowable partial pressure of CO2 in the exit gas, heat transfer considerations, etc. A key part of the design is to relate mass transfer to agitation and airflow. This is not a trivial task. Developing a broth-specific correlation typically requires months of work. But it is essential for accurate design. Moreover, with such a correlation, it is possible to minimize energy requirements. This is because the same OTR can be achieved with low airflow and high agitator power or higher air flow and lower agitator power. The sum of these two goes through a minimum, as shown in the graph below. Other considerations include shear effects, rheology, vessel aspect ratio, and heat transfer calculations. We can help you design a pilot protocol to get all of the data you need for a successful and optimum design, scale up the results, and provide bid specs and bid evaluations.

Large renewable energy and biochemical consulting firms certainly have experts in biotechnologies like fermenters, as well as the more common areas like bio and renewable fuels, biomass and biomass power, feedstocks, biomaterials, and biochemicals.  These larger groups will also have expertise in other technologies like agitation systems, anaerobic digestion, bio-oil extraction, bioreactors, carbon capture, carbon storage, carbonization, catalysis, cellulosic ethanol, cleantech, direct combustion, enzyme technologies, fermentation, Fischer-Tropsch, gasification, genetic engineering, hydrothermal,  nanotechnology, organosynthesis, power generation, pyrolysis, renewable technology due diligence, synthetic biology, thermochemical conversion, torrefaction, water treatment, and waste management.

Lee Enterprises Consulting is the world’s premier bioeconomy consulting group, with over 150 highly qualified experts serving in all these areas.  Take a look at our experts and the services we provide.  Most of our experts are also available to advise and serve as expert witnesses in bioeconomy litigation matters.  We specialize in putting together full-service, interdisciplinary teams with one point of contact for larger projects.  Call us at 1+ (501) 833-8511 or email us for more information.