Oxygen transfer modeling and simulations for an industrial continuous airlift fermentor

This article deals with the modeling of the oxygen transfer in an industrial airlift fermentor used for lactic yeast production on whey substrates. The purpose of this study was to improve the understanding of the interactions among the various parameters that govern the oxygen transfer phenomena in this type of fermentor. The reliability of the proposed model is demonstrated. The results of the investigations have been put into practice on the industrial scale and have contributed to monitor better the fermentation process. The model was also used to develop new ways of industrial fermentor design.