Abstract
The applications of solid/liquid and/or solid/liquid/gas fluidized beds are considered in such areas as environmental biotechnology for the nitrification and denitrification of wastewater, denitrification of drinking water, anaerobic digestion, production of cell mass and primary and secondary metabolites with microorganisms, and cultivation of animal cell lines. Cell mass and alcohol, glutathion, and enzyme production in gas/solid fluidized beds are also considered. The performance and modelling of these reactors are discussed.