Mathematical Modelling Development of Packed Bed Bioreactors in Solid-State Fermentation

Abstract

A two-dimensional heat transfer model was developed on the microbial growth on starchy materials in packed bed bioreactors. The model comprised of two sets of equations : (i) the growth and death kinetics and (ii) the energy balance. The system is assumed to be pseudo-homogeneous and microbial growth and death are influenced by the system temperature. The model predicts the temporal temperature and biomass concentration profiles at any location of the bed in two dimensions. The model was verified by comparing with experimental data and also with simulating results of a one-dimensional model. The model fitted reasonably well with the experimental data and the comparison of these two models were discussed. From the basis of heat transfer, the model was flexible to various sizes of bioreactors and other microorganisms of packed bed solid-state fermentation. The model was proven to be useful and could be used as an investigated tool on either the bioreactor performance and in control optimization and scale-up.