AIR LIFT BIOREACTOR

BEENISH SARFRAZ

INTRODUCTION…typical motionless bioreactor where the internal

circulation and mixing are achieved by bubbling air.”

Employ forced/ pressurized air to circulate cells and nutrient medium.

Can be used to culture cells that highly shear-sensitive.

gas stream facilitate exchange of material between the gas phase and the medium.

oxygen is usually transferred to the liquid, products are removed through exchange with the gas phase.

STRUCTURE/ DESIGN…Entire reactor is divided into 2 halves by a Draft tube: inner gassed region ( Riser) outer ungassed region ( Down comer)

Riser has gas injection connected- air moves upwards.

Down comer region has degassed media and cells.

Mean density gradient between riser and downcomer regions causes continuous circulation.

PARTS OF ALR…RISER: Connected gas injection- upward air

flow.DOWNCOMER: degassed media+cells.BASE: Connected to Perforated nozzle bank/

plate/ Sparger to pump pressurized air. HEAD SPACE: Gas release region,

flocculation, foam accumulation etc.GAS SEPARATOR: Facilitates gas/liquid recirculation maximizes gas residence time reduces gas friction in downcomer.

ALR TYPES DESCRIPTION INTERNAL LOOP ALR: baffles placed strategically in a single vessel

create the channels required for the circulation shortest path that a bubble cover from the riser

to the downcomer is a straight line

EXTERNAL LOOP ALR: circulation takes place through separate and distinct conduits

there is usually a minimum horizontal distance to be covered, increases the chances of disengagement of the bubbles

TYPES OF ALRs….

Types of Gas separators in Internal external loop ALRS

HOW AIRLIFT BIOREACTOR WORKS?

downcomer

Headspace region

riser

Grooved nozzle bank

Gas separator

riserdowncomer

ALR features Gas separator Gas Holdupa) Driving force circulation Shear stress

Effect of liquida) Disengement of bubbles • Free rising velocity, liquid velocity, residence time of

bubbles in gas separator Measuring The Liquid Velocity. use of tracers in the liquid. If a tracer is injected and two probes

are installed in a section of the tube

AIRLIFT REACTOR CHARACTERSICTICS

Liquid MixingMass TransferRate of gas transfer across

gas liquid interface per unit of driving force.

Energy Dissipation

MODIFICATIONS OF ALRs…

ADVANTAGES OF ALRs…Hence, homogenous mixing/ distribution of gas/

oxygen.Simple design with no moving parts or agitator for

less maintenance, less risk of defects. Easier sterilization (no agitator shaft parts)Low Energy requirement Homogenous distribution

of nutrients and shear force.DISADVANTAGES Greater air throughput and higher pressures needed Inefficient break the foam when foaming occursNO bubbles breaker 

USES…. Mammalian cell cultures.

Waste water treatment

Biological processes involving biocatalysts as solids

To produce biopharma proteins etc from fragile cells.