Optimal Design of the Tubular Microporous Membrane Aerator for Shear-Sensitive Cell Cultures

• Published in: Biotechnology progress Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 19 - 24
• Main Authors: Su, W. Winston, Caram, Hugo S., Humphrey, Arthur E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: USA American Chemical Society 01.01.1992; American Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; cell culture; Cells, Cultured; Cytological Techniques - instrumentation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; membranes; Membranes, Artificial; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Oxygen; Pressure; Surface Properties; transport; Various methods and equipments; Design; Cell culture; Tubular membrane; Critical value; Porous membrane; Aerator; Theoretical study; Oxygen transfer; Optimization
• ISSN: 8756-7938; 1520-6033
• DOI: 10.1021/bp00013a004

In this paper, a theoretical analysis of oxygen transport across the tubular microporous membrane is described. This analysis has provided some insight into the optimal design of the membrane aerator. It was found in this study, at fixed inlet pressure, that the overall membrane oxygen transfer rate increases with increased tubing length only up to a certain length, i.e., the “critical length”. When a large membrane surface area is required, the fiber should be divided into parallel segments to increase the overall oxygen transfer rate. A manifold or a gas distributor can then be used to distribute gas into segments of tubing. The length of each segment cannot exceed the critical length. In addition, shorter tube segments should give a higher oxygen transfer rate per unit tube length; however, this advantage is counterbalanced by the fact that gas distribution into huge numbers of parallel tubings may not be uniform.