Abstract
Fluid flow and particle collision intensity in a rotating‐drum bioreactor are investigated by numerical simulation and a conventional stirred‐tank bioreactor is selected for comparison. Fluid flow is simulated by the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software package FLUENT® whereas particle collision intensity is approached numerically through a hard‐sphere model. The dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy and the maximum particle collision intensity in the rotating‐drum bioreactor are about one order of magnitude smaller than those in the stirred‐tank bioreactor. The rotating‐drum bioreactor is likely to have a less severe impact on bioleaching microorganisms, and thus is expected to have great potential in the field of bioleaching processes.
Rotating‐drum bioreactors provide excellent gas‐liquid mass transfer, low power consumption, and potential for bleaching processes. The critical particle collision intensity is calculated by simulating the collision process of the individual solid particles with each other. Its maximum collision intensity in the rotating‐drum bioreactor is ∼1/10 of that in the conventional stirred‐tank bioreactor.
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| Authors: |
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Jin, J.; Shi, S.‐Y.; Liu, G.‐L.; Zhang, Q.‐H.; Cong, W. |
| Journal: |
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Chemical Engineering & Technology
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| Volume: |
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35 |
| Issue: |
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2 |
| Year: |
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2012 |
| Pages: |
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287 |
| DOI: |
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10.1002/ceat.201100327 |
| Publication date: |
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01-02-2012 |