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Multicapillary membrane bioreactor design

Thesis (MTech (Chemical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2005 / The white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, produces enzymes, which are capable of
degrading chemical pollutants. It was detennined that this fungus has multiple growth phases.
The study provided infonnation that can be used to classify growth kinetic parameters, substrate
mass transfer and liquid medium momentum transfer effects in continuous secondary metabolite
production studies. P. chrysosporium strain BKMF 1767 (ATCC 24725) was grown at 37 QC in
single fibre capillary membrane bioreactors (SFCMBR) made of glass. The SFCMBR systems
with working volumes of 20.4 ml and active membrane length of 160 mm were positioned
vertically.
Dry biofilm density was determined by using a helium pycnometer. Biofilm differentiation was
detennined by taking samples for image analysis, using a Scanning Electron Microscope at
various phases of the biofilm growth. Substrate consumption was detennined by using relevant
test kits to quantify the amount, which was consumed at different times, using a varying amount
of spore concentrations. Growth kinetic constants were detennined by using the substrate
consumption and the dry biofilm density model. Oxygen mass transfer parameters were
determined by using the Clark type oxygen microsensors. Pressure transducers were used to
measure the pressure, which was needed to model the liquid medium momentum transfer in the
lumen of the polysulphone membranes. An attempt was made to measure the glucose mass
transfer across the biofilm, which was made by using a hydrogen peroxide microsensor, but
without success.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:cput/oai:localhost:20.500.11838/897
Date January 2005
CreatorsNtwampe, Seteno Karabo Obed
PublisherCape Peninsula University of Technology
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Rightshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/za/

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