Question

A 10,000 liter (of liquid) bioreactor contains 5 g / L of growing cells qO2 = 20 mmoles O2 / (g cells hr) DT = 2 m, DI = 1 m, (6 – blade turbine agitator) x 3 blades and CL = 1 mg O2/L. Calculate OUR.

(a) 200 mmoles O2 / (g cells hr)

(b) 250 mmoles O2 / (g cells hr)

(c) 100 mmoles O2 / (g cells hr)

(d) 150 mmoles O2 / (g cells hr)

The question was asked during an interview.

My enquiry is from Measurement of KLa in chapter Mass Transfer of Bioprocess Engineering

Answer 1

Right option is (c) 100 mmoles O2 / (g cells hr)

Explanation: OUR = X qO2 = (5 g / L) (20 mmoles O2 / (g cells hr)) = 100 moles O2 / (g cells hr).