Determination of YX/S,obs in a Bioreactor when Cell Maintenance Effects are Not Negligible

Question

Consider the growth of enterobacter aerogenes in each of two independent chemostat operations, each of volume 500 L, each operating at steady state. Cell maintenance effects in each bioreactor are negligible, and product formation in each bioreactor is negligible. Growth of E,  aerogenes in each bioreactor is limited by ammonium ion, such that

Mass transfer limitations in each bioreactor are negligible. Finally, in each bioreactor, the feed is sterile and inlet flow rates are identical with S₀ = 4.8 g/L, but substrate conversions are not the same.

Now suppose cell maintenance effects are not negligible, such that maintenance is achieved entirely by endogenous metabolism, with K_d = 0.030 h^-1.

Determine whether Y_X/S,obs in either bioreactor would be expected to change with a change in flow rate.

Summary

This question belongs to bioreactors in biotechnology and discusses about bioreactors and to determine Y_X/S,obs in a bioreactor cell maintenance effects are not negligible.

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