Modeling of immobilized cell reactor for propionic acid fermentation.

A mathematical model of steady state reactor behavior was developed, combining the tanks-in-series model with fermentation kinetic description. The model was tested with experimental data-from an immobilized cell reactor for propionic acid production operated under different residence times. In order to determine the effects of liquid flow rate and gas evolution on the degree of mixing, residence time distribution studies (RTDs) were performed during fermentation. The tanks-in-series model represented adequately the hydrodynamic behavior of the reactor. Association of an intrinsic kinetic model obtained from chemostat studies with the tanks-in-series model allows a "chemostat equivalent" cell concentration profile and a substrate consumption profile to be obtained. The advantage of having a two-level pH adjustment within the reactor is also discussed.