Question

Which type of reactor, aeration is generally accomplished in a separate vessel?

(a) Fluidised bed

(b) Trickle bed

(c) Packed bed

(d) Stirred and air-driven reactors

I got this question in semester exam.

Enquiry is from Bioreactor Configurations in chapter Reactor Engineering of Bioprocess Engineering

Answer 1

Right answer is (c) Packed bed

For explanation: Aeration is generally accomplished in a separate vessel; if air is sparged directly into the bed, bubble coalescence produces gas pockets and flow channelling or maldistribution. Packed beds are unsuitable for processes which produce large quantities of carbon dioxide or other gases which can become trapped in the packing.