The article “Bioreactors – Technology & Design Analysis”, by authors Jagriti Singh,

Nirmala Kaushik and Soumitra Biswas seeks to discuss and explain the purpose and different types
of bioreactors. The article states the importance of having the correct design of bioreactors for
specific uses and why understanding the right parameters and mass transfer behavior could help
for the optimum design of a bioreactor. As stated in the abstract, a bioreactor provides a
controllable environment enabling the biological, biochemical and biomechanical requirements to
manufacture engineered product. The author says that in order to achieve a desirable product, one
must closely monitor the reaction parameters like mass transfer, heat transfer, oxygen content etc.
The paper also discusses the different types of bioreactors for different industrial operations and
purposes.

The first part of the article discussed the basic features of a bioreactor such as headspace
volume, agitator system, oxygen delivery system, foam control, temperature & pH control system,
sampling ports, cleaning and sterilization system and lines for charging & emptying the reactor.
Setting the correct values for these features are required to have a successful reaction in a
bioreactor. For example, correct pressurization of headspace represents an excellent means of
enhancing oxygen mass transfer to a culture. Foam control is important as to not increase the
pressure inside the bioreactors by blocking air exits, addition of strong anti-foaming agent can be
introduced but the trade-off is that it reduces the rate of oxygen transfer. pH control system also
should be monitored so that it is non-toxic to the cells as to cause cell lysis. And of course, cleaning
and sterilization is required to avoid contamination especially in the production of biological
products. On the next part, different types of reactors are discussed. First are the general types of
reactors; these are the Batch Stirred Reactor, Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor and Semi-batch or
Fed batch operation. After that, special purpose bioreactors are introduced like Plug Flow Reactor
(PFR), Bubble Column Reactor, Airlift Bioreactor (ALB), Packed Bed Bioreactors and Fluidized
Bed bioreactors.

The article accurately discussed the difference of the three general bioreactors, it also
discussed the advantages and disadvantages of those three. A batch bioreactor has the simplest
design and it gives the user the flexibility to use it for different multiple products; its disadvantage
is operation has to be stopped during reloading or cleaning and reaction condition like reaction
changes in time since it is not continuously supplied with fresh feed. On the other hand, is the
continuous stirred tank reactor which is good for processes that needs high-productivity and for
better quality product since the reaction conditions are kept on optimum value via constant supply
but it is more energy consuming since it requires the presence of mechanical pumps. The article
was not able to show a more illustrated design of a CSTR or a semi-batch bioreactor and it did not
really explain how it has more stable and safer operation than Batch Process like it stated. Next
discussed are the special purpose bioreactors; Plug Flow Reactor (PFR), Bubble Column Reactor,
Airlift Bioreactor (ALB), Packed Bed Bioreactors and Fluidized Bed bioreactors, the authors
showed the difference, advantage and disadvantage of using a particular type of bioreactor. The
authors successfully showed illustrated examples of the designs of the reactors and discussed the
mechanisms, advantage and disadvantages of using each one. For PFR the advantage is the
concentration of substrates and microorganisms vary throughout the reactor. The heat transfer rate
can be optimized using tubes with larger or smaller diameter arranged in parallel. However, the
control of temperature and heat can result in undesirable temperature gradients and which is
expensive to maintain. For BCR, the bubbles create less shear stress compared to other reactors
with agitators thus it has excellent heat management; it’s also low maintenance and low cost due
to lack of mechanical moving parts. ALB are highly energy and productivity efficient compared
to stirred tank but it requires high cost for the high energy needed to sustain high pressure of air.
FBR and PBB are almost identical, it gives uniform particle mixing and temperature gradient but
it requires a bigger size of reactor.

Overall, having the right type of bioreactor for a particular process is of paramount
importance, because it will dictate the success of the production. Using the wrong type of reactor
may cause problem and may not be able to produce the desired product. Also, monitoring the
parameters of the reactors closely is required to have a successful mass transfer. There is really no
particular best type of bioreactor, because each of them serves a specific purpose. But for me, the
best type is Batch Reactor since it has the simplest design and it gives you the freedom to use it
for multiple products and constantly check the condition of the reactor every charging and
emptying of the bioreactor.
Reference

 Jeng Dar Yang and Nam Sun Wang (1992, May 2,). Oxygen mass transfer enhancement
via fermentor headspace pressurization

 Jagriti Singh, Nirmala Kaushik* & Soumitra Biswas (2014 , June). Bioreactors –
Technology & Design Analysis

 Alaghlavi, March 19, 2013. Design of Fermenter and Kinetics, Bioprocess Engineering.

 Purohit S, 2013 Introduction to plant cell tissue and organ culture.