Oxygen Transfer and Industrial Production Processes.pdf

Oxygen Transfer and Industrial Production Processes

1. Oxygen Transfer and
Industrial Production
Processes

2. Oxygen Transfer (OT)
Oxygen transfer refers to the movement of
oxygen from gas to liquid, primarily in
industrial systems such as bioreactors,
where it is essential for the metabolism of
aerobic microorganisms.

3. Industrial Production Processes
Industrial production processes refer to the
systematic methods used to manufacture
goods on a large scale. These processes can
be categorized into several types, including
batch processing, fed-batch processing, and
continuous processing.

5. In batch processing, materials
are processed in discrete batches
or groups. The production runs for
a set period and produces a
specific quantity of product before
the equipment is cleaned and
prepared for the next batch.

6. Fed-batch processing is a hybrid method where initial substrates
are charged into the reactor, and additional substrates are fed into
the process at controlled rates during the reaction. This allows for
better control of nutrient levels and can enhance product yield.

7. In continuous processing,
raw materials are continuously
fed into the production
system, and products are
continuously removed. This
type of processing is designed
for high-volume production of
a single product or a limited
range of products.

8. Oxygen transfer is important in industries like
pharmaceuticals (for drug production), biotechnology
(for fermentations), and environmental engineering
(like wastewater treatment). Without sufficient
oxygen, processes involving aerobic organisms would
slow down or fail.

9. Drug Production
Penicillium chrysogenum, species of fungus in
the genus Penicillium (kingdom Fungi) that
occursacross a variety of habitats and is
especially common in moist areas, including
forests and damp indoor environments.
Penicillium chrysogenum can also develop on
foods such asfruits and vegetables, cereal
grains, cured meat, cheese, and other dairy
products.

11. KEY POINTS
Oxygen Transfer Rate (OTR): This refers to how fast
oxygen moves from the air (gas phase) into the liquid
(where the microorganisms are).
Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR): This measures how fast
the microorganisms consume oxygen.

12. OXYGEN TRANSFER RATE (OTR)
•High oxygen levels (above 0.025 mmol/L): No effect on growth or
penicillin production—the mold grows and produces penicillin just fine.
•Medium oxygen levels (0.013 to 0.025 mmol/L): The mold still
grows normally, but penicillin production starts to decrease.
•Low oxygen levels (below 0.013 mmol/L): Both growth and
penicillin production are slowed down.

13. OXYGEN UPTAKE RATE (OUR)
•Oxygen: 1.6 mmol per gram of cell per hour
For maximum penicillin production, the mold requires an oxygen
uptake rate of 1.6 mmol of oxygen per gram of cells per hour. This
high oxygen demand helps the mold produce as much penicillin as
possible.
However, when the mold is growing (increasing in cell number), it
doesn’t need as much oxygen. The oxygen uptake rate during
growth is lower, tied to a specific growth rate of 0.015 hr⁻¹.

14. OXYGEN MONITORING :
Monitoring the level of dissolved oxygen is crucial because
it helps control how the microorganisms grow and produce
the product (like penicillin).
Oxygen transfer is affected by how fast the cells use
oxygen and how fast oxygen is supplied to them. If there’s
not enough oxygen, the microorganisms will slow down, and
so will the production (Garcia-Ochoa et al., 2010).

15. 01
Agitation speed:
Higher agitation increases
the gas-liquid interface.
03
Temperature:
Higher temperatures reduce
oxygen solubility but may
speed up metabolic
processes.
02
Aeration rate:
Oxygen supply through diffusers
enhances oxygen availability.
04
Pressure:
Increased pressure can
raise oxygen solubility.
Factors Affecting Oxygen Transfer

16. OXYGEN TRANSFER IN FERMENTATION
Microbial Fermentation
Fermentation is a process where microorganisms like
yeast or bacteria are used to produce valuable products.
These microbes need oxygen to grow and carry out
metabolism.

17. Alcohol Production
Alcohol, particularly ethanol, is produced via fermentation
by yeasts, primarily Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeast
metabolizes sugars under anaerobic conditions, converting
them into ethanol and carbon dioxide.

18. While alcohol fermentation primarily occurs under
anaerobic conditions, controlled oxygen transfer is vital
for optimizing yeast health, growth, and metabolic
efficiency. It enhances the fermentation process by
promoting cell viability, nutrient assimilation, and the
production of favorable flavors and aromas. Balancing
oxygen transfer ensures that both cell growth and
product yield are optimized (Magdalena et al., 2022).

19. OXYGEN TRANSFER IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT
• Environmental Applications: Oxygen is also vital in processes like
aerobic digestion in wastewater treatment. Here, oxygen helps aerobic
bacteria break down organic material, purifying the water.
• Optimizing Oxygen Transfer in Treatment Plants: Using aeration
systems like surface aerators or diffused air systems improves the
efficiency of oxygen delivery, ensuring that bacteria have enough oxygen to
degrade pollutants.

21. References
Garcia-Ochoa, F., Gomez, E., Santos, V. E., & Merchuk, J. C. (2010). Oxygen uptake rate in microbial processes: An overview.
Biochemical Engineering Journal, 49(3), 289–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2010.01.011
Janoska, A., Verheijen, J. J., Tang, W., Lee, Q., Sikkema, B., & van Gulik, W. M. (2022). Influence of oxygen concentration on the
metabolism ofPenicillium chrysogenum.Engineering in life sciences,23(1), e2100139. https://doi.org/10.1002/elsc.202100139
Magdalena, J. A., Angenent, L. T., & Usack, J. G. (2022). The measurement, application, and effect of oxygen in microbial fermentations:
focusing on methane and carboxylate production. Fermentation, 8(4), 138. https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation8040138
Seidel, S., Maschke, R. W., Werner, S., Jossen, V., & Eibl, D. (2020). Oxygen mass transfer in biopharmaceutical processes: Numerical
and experimental approaches. Chemie Ingenieur Technik, 93(1–2), 42–61. https://doi.org/10.1002/cite.202000179
Suresh, S., Srivastava, V., & Mishra, I. (2009). Techniques for oxygen transfer measurement in bioreactors: a review. Journal of Chemical
Technology & Biotechnology, 84(8), 1091–1103. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.2154

22. Oxygen Transfer and
Industrial Production
Processes