| Abstract: | The production of large quantities of microbial mass, or their by-products, frequently requires aeration and mixing of fluid media. This operation often results in copious production of foam which cannot be exhausted with the effluent air or gas. Foam is usually controlled with antifoam agents which may interfere with product purity, oxygen uptake, and with subsequent product, handling. The process herein described obviates the requirement for antifoam agents or other foam-control methods. In essence, the air (or other gases) and foam in the headspace are continuously withdrawn, entrained in the intake side of a self-priming pump, and reintroduced into the bulk of the process liquid medium. The headspace may be enriched with oxygen or other gases. |
