Process kinetic analysis

Decompositions in which there is oxidation of the ammonia formed initially yield an increased munber of intermediates and products, by concurrent and/or consecutive rate processes. Kinetic analysis of tihe overall reaction has to take these complications, together with those introduced by possible melting or sublimation, into account. 

The interactions between physics and biology govern large-scale microbial production and also heavily influence reaction rates on the laboratory scale. This fact is to be considered in the case of process kinetics analysis. All methods used for quantification in bioprocessing (cf. Chapters 3 and 4) should be critically considered, and standards would be desirable (cf. EFB, Dechema 1984) for development of a general methodology for biotechnology. 

Process kinetic analysis in laboratory-scale reactors (V = 10-501)... 

The process kinetic analysis is carried out in two different types of reactors. The so-called perfect bioreactor is used for obtaining true kinetic data. This laboratory reactor must therefore meet certain requirements with regard to all possible transport phenomena (see Sect. 4.2). A so-called bioreactor model is a scaled-down bioreactor with some geometrical similarity to the production unit. Here, significant transport phenomena (cf. Chap. 3) can be studied and quantified with a physical system in a first step. 

Bioreactors must fulfill a twofold purpose in bioprocessing—industrial production and process kinetic analysis. A standard research bioreactor has been recommended by the European Federation of Biotechnology (Dechema Monograph, 1982) It is a stirred tank in which all dimensions are standardized (cf. Table 3.7). 

For process kinetic analysis, the following rules can be given ... 

Pseudokinetic phenomena become evident only when process kinetic analysis is carried out with mathematical models. Most bioprocesses are basically heterogeneous systems. Generally, pseudohomogeneous rates measured in L phase analyses are used, because they are thought to reflect directly the intrinsic reaction rate of metabolism in the solid phase (biomass). Even under steady-state conditions, however, this assumption is not necessarily valid. 

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