Question

The vessel of bioreactor is draining from _________

(a) Top

(b) Below

(c) Bottom

(d) Side

The question was asked in semester exam.

Enquiry is from Practical Considerations For Bioreactor Construction in chapter Reactor Engineering of Bioprocess Engineering

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

(c) Bottom

In bioreactors, the vessel typically drains from the bottom. This is because:

1. Gravity-assisted drainage: Draining from the bottom allows the liquid to flow easily out of the vessel under the influence of gravity, making the process more efficient.

2. Collection of by-products: Many bioreactors generate solid by-products, such as biomass or precipitates, that settle at the bottom. Draining from the bottom ensures that these materials are effectively removed.

3. Homogeneous mixing: Since the liquid is often well-mixed from the bottom due to the impeller and flow dynamics, draining from the bottom helps maintain consistency in the liquid removed.

For these reasons, the bottom is the most common location for the drainage in bioreactors.

So, the correct choice is (c) Bottom.