Work

Bioprocess Scale-Up: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach for the Bioproduction of Succinic Acid from Glycerol

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: In this work, we present the scale-up of a batch anaerobic fermentation system for the production of succinic acid from glycerol using A. succinogenes. The system has been successfully scaled up from an initial bioreactor working volume of 1 L (laboratory scale) to a working volume of 100 L (pilot scale). At the same time, we have developed a hybrid model, combining the intrinsic kinetics of the microbial growth, with a computational fluid dynamics model (CFD) of the bioreactor. The proposed model is able to predict the productivity drop, usually observed while scaling up a bioprocess. In our process, this is a result of the limitations on the mass transfer of CO2 between the gas and the liquid phase of the system. The model is successfully used to predict the amount of aeration needed in order to achieve increased succinic acid productivity. Using the model, the final succinic acid increased by 4.3%, and the succinic acid productivity increased by 8.5%, while the fermentation by-products decreased by approxiamtely 3% each.

Source: Processes

DOI: 10.3390/pr14050870

Authors: Ioannis Zacharopoulos, Constantinos Theodoropoulos

Institution: University of Manchester

Language: English

Topic: Fluid Dynamics and Mixing

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896