2020 journal article
A falling film bioreactor (FFBR) for generating effective gas-to-liquid mass transfer using wavy laminar flow for continuous microbial gas processing
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE, 219.
author keywords: Falling film bioreactor; Biocomposite biocatalyst; Cell immobilization; Process intensification; Gas-liquid mass transfer; Gas-to-liquid chemicals
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
(OpenAlex)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: May 26, 2020
Efficient recycling of gaseous carbon to chemicals using immobilized microorganisms is possible with reduced water use and power input for gas-liquid (GL) mass transfer using a falling film bioreactor (FFBR). In a FFBR, a wavy laminar liquid film (Re < 200) descends over a cylindrical paper biocatalyst support to (1) provide efficient GL mass transfer without bubbles, (2) provide hydration and nutrients, and (3) remove secreted liquid products. Paper roughness had previously been shown to enhance GL mass transfer. FFBRs (~1 m and ~0.1 m) without cells were constructed as prototypes for continuous bioprocessing of gas and evaluated for mass transfer based on liquid film thickness and O2 kLa. Prototype flow distributors for the FFBR were generated by 3D printing. Average liquid film thicknesses of ~0.080–0.300 mm and O2 kLa values >103 h−1 were achieved. Liquid film thickness was measured by a novel image analysis method using 4K photography.