Dynamic Analysis of Fermentation Reactors

In this chapter the dynamics of fermentation reactors for the production of penicillin will be discussed. Since these reactors are usually operated in a fed-batch mode, this mode will be discussed in addition to a continuous operation mode. For the continuous reactor, the nonlinear dynamic model will be linearized to explain the dynamic responses of the reactor concentrations to a change in feed rate. 

Continuous operation is the preferred mode of operation for many processes. For fermentation reactors, however, often a batch or fed-batch mode of operation is preferred to be able to exhaust the feed sufficiently. If continuous operation is used, feed rates that can be realized are rather low, to achieve a large residence time. This means that the typical residence times of seconds to minutes for chemical reactors cannot be reahzed for continuous fermentation reactors. 

In this chapter fed-batch as well as continuous operation will be discussed and some of the 

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