ARUP; ISBN: 978-0-9562121-5-3 - CMBBE 2012 - Cardiff University

value of p nearest to dqc=0 we continue the solution using dp/ dz g(
z,
p)
until the end of
the device is reached. This gives us an axial partial pressure profile in the cell region.
5. RESULTS
Results and graphs of oxygen outlet partial pressure versus time for the 13 fiber and 19
fiber FIF bioreactors for selected flow rates are given in Figure 2. Studying OTR and the
perfusion flow rate gives a better understanding of the behaviour of the FIF bioreactor.
Therefore, two different modules (13FIF and 19FIF) of bioreactors (5 for each) were used
in these studies. Figure 2 shows that 13 FIF and 19 FIF bioreactors do not have a similar
behavior to the oxygen transfer through the silicone rubber hollow fiber into the other two
Compartments. Figure 2 also shows that the 19FIF bioreactor has a higher OTR than that of
the13FIF bioreactor for all the flow rates except for 40ml/h. The dependency of the OTR
on the flow rate can also be seen.
600
500
400
OTR 300
(nmol/min)
200
100
0
Flow rate and the module type
Figure 2: Calculated OTR from the experimental work on the 13 FIF and 19 FIF bioreactors. The key legend
denotes the module size, the compartment with water flow and the flow rate. E.g. 19B40 is an experiment
with a 19 fiber set bioreactor, water flow in compartment B and a flow rate of 40 ml/h.
Calculated data from experimental work of OTR with distilled water were used to validate
the theoretical model. Physical and mechanical properties of the FIF bioreactors were used
as Input parameters for the computer implementation. Oxygen transfer for 3 different water
flow rates (40ml/h, 70ml/h &160ml/h) in FIF bioreactor were used to validate the model.
Results showed 70% agreement with experimental results (table 1). The results show that
the model over-predicted the actual OTR by 12% to 28% over the range of flow rates
tested.
Flow rate ml/h OTR nmol/min Experimental 19FIF OTR nmol/min Predicted 19FIF
40 123 142
70 234 234
160 562 532
Table 1: Experimental and predicted OTRs in compartment B in the FIF bioreactor (40, 70 & 160ml/h).
19 A 40
19 B 40
19 A 70
19 B 70
19 A 90
19 B 90
19 A 160
19 B 160
13 A 40
13 B 40
13 A 70
13 B 70
13 A 90
13 B 90
13 A 160
13 B 160