Bioreactor Parameters

Total Volume of Bioreactor (m3):

Filling rate of the bioreactor (m3/hr):

emptying rate of bioreactor (m3/hr):

max filling fraction of bioreactor (-):

Inoculation fraction (-):

Batch fermentation: initial substrate concentration (kg/m3):

Biomass concentration in inoculum (kg/m3):

Fed-batch fermentation: feeding phase max flow rate (m3/hr):

Fed-batch fermentation: feed substrate concentration (kg/m3):

Diameter of bioreactor (m):

Stirrer Speed [hr-1]:

Impeller Diameter (T) [m]:

Temperature in bioreactor (K):

Starting volume of fermentor (m3):

Microbe Parameters

Maximum Specific Growth Rate (mu_max):

Yield on Substrate (-):

biomass yield on oxygen (-):

Specific maintenance Coefficient substrate (g/g/hr):

Specific maintenance coefficient O2 (g/g/hr):

half saturation constant O2 (kg/m3):

Half saturation constant substrate (kg/m3):

Death Rate (-):

Critical Concentration of Substrate (kg/m3):

Inhibition Constant of Substrate (-):

Product Yield on Substrate (-):

Mixing & Mass Transfer Parameters

Interfacial Tension [N/m]:

Density of fermentation broth [kg/m3]:

Oxygen Diffusivity in fermentation broth (m2/s):

O2 saturation concentration in liquid phase (kg/m3):

Viscosity of fermentation broth (Pa*s):

Average bubble diameter (m):

Gas Holdup fraction (-):

Viscosity of Air (mu_g) (Pa*s):

Dynamic Viscosity of Liquid (mu) [Pa*s]:

Acceleration Due to Gravity (g) (m/s2):

Energy Dissipation Rate (gas_diss_rate) [W·kg−1]:

Time Parameters

Sterilize-In-Place time needed (hrs):

Washing Time (hrs):

Total production time per year (hrs):

End Time (hrs):

Time Step (hrs):

Welcome to the alfa-build of my online bioprocess simulator!

First time users: just jump to results tab and click the "Run Bioreactor" button. This will show you a typical outcome of a simulation, using default input values.

1. Explore the Tabs: Navigate through the tabs like 'Bioreactor', 'Gas Flows', 'Microbes', and more to input your specific parameters.
2. Input Your Data: Each tab comes with a set of inputs where you can enter details about your bioreactor setup, microbial culture, gas flows, and other critical aspects.
3. Run the Simulation: Once you've input all necessary data, hit the 'Run bioreactor' button in the 'Results' tab to see the simulation in action.
4. Analyze the Results: View real-time graphs and data analytics on the 'Results' tab to understand the performance and output of your bioreactor model.

All bioprocess simulations follow a specific set of steps, listed below:

step 1) fermentor is filled with substrate.

step 2) sterilization in place. In the current model it is merely a waiting time.

step 3) inoculation. The bioreactor is inoculated with a biomass concentration. Typically, a short procedure as it tends to be a small volume.

step 4) fermentation phase. microbes start growing, consuming substrate/oxygen and/or produce product.

step 5) bioreactor emptying.

step 6) bioreactor washing/cleaning. Currently just a waiting step.

upcoming features:

Gas mass balances (O2/CO2)

Biochemical production (incl product inhibition)

Pre-selection tool of what type of reactor you intend to use (bubble column, CSTR, airlift)

Use database of microbe growth parameters

Techno-economic evaluations

Some of the literature that is used in the models:

Van't Riet, K. (1991). Basic Bioreactor Design. Marcel Dekker.

Garcia-Ochoa, F., & Gomez, E. (2009). Bioreactor scale-up and oxygen transfer rate in microbial processes: An overview. Biotechnology Advances, 27(2), 153-176. doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2008.10.006

Garcia-Ochoa, F., & Gomez, E. (2009). Oxygen mass transfer in biopharmaceutical processes: Numerical and experimental approaches. Chemical Engineering Science, 64(12), 2939-2948. doi:10.1016/j.ces.2009.03.018

Higbie, R. (1935). The rate of absorption of a pure gas into a still liquid during short periods of exposure. Transactions of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 31, 365-389.

Shah, Y. T., Kelkar, B. G., Godbole, S. P., & Deckwer, W. D. (1982). Bubble column reactors. Wiley.

Van't Riet, K., & Tramper, J. (1991). Basic engineering principles of bioreactor scale-up. Journal of Biotechnology, 15(1-2), 1-20. doi:10.1016/0168-1656(91)90055-Q

Oosterhuis, N. M. G., & Kossen, N. W. F. (1986). Theoretical and practical aspects of the scale-down of bioreactors. Chemical Engineering Science, 41(12), 3099-3105. doi:10.1016/0009-2509(86)81822-7

Linek, V., & Vacek, V. (1981). Mass transfer in bubble columns for individual flow regimes. Chemical Engineering Science, 36(9), 1747-1768. doi:10.1016/0009-2509(81)80073-5

Zlokarnik, M. (1999). Scale-up in Chemical Engineering. Wiley-VCH.