Hydrodynamic characteristics of a spinning sparger,external loop airlift bioreactor

In this work, the traditional external loop, airlift bioreactor has been fitted with a spinning sparger. Baffles were located beyond the sparger circumference to prevent vortex motion throughout the bioreactor. The flat plate, spinning sparger had six orifices and was located below the downcomer connection to prevent the generation of a high shear environment inside the bulk medium as would be found in a stirred tank bioreactor. The spinning motion of the sparger produces smaller diameter bubbles with higher gas hold-ups and interfacial areas inside the bioreactor. Data and empirical correlations are presented for these features as well as liquid circulation velocity and mixing characteristics as functions of the spinning rate, superficial gas velocity and type of medium.