| Abstract: | A kinetic model is proposed to describe the mechanisms of substrate removal in continuous-flow, stirred bioteactors for bacterial autocatalytic reactions. A lumped parameter, defined as the average number of contacts between microorganisms and limiting substrate per unit time per unit of biomass, is used to study the overall effect of mixing on reactor performance. Under all the conditions studied, the overall effect is such that the larger the value of the parameter the better the reactor performance. The influence of formation and decomposition of cell-substrate intermediate on substrate removal is also presented. |
