Tubular bioreactors: Case study of bioreactor performance for industrial production and scientific research

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Abstract
Application of bioreactors is dominated by industrial production with the consequence that bioreactors also for scientific purposes are mainly used following an empiric pragmatic approach. For the sake of a breakthrough in biotechnology in general, and especially for advanced process development, a more systematic approach is emphasized here. This methodology in bioreactor performance studies is explained and the meaning clarified in a case study of a new type of tubular bioreactor. The central role of so‐called “model bioreactors” in bench‐scale applications is illustrated as a powerful contribution to the optimal design of bioreactors in technical scale. Pilot plant data in case of a tubular reactor for the production of ethanol with Zymomonas and biopesticides with Bacillus thuringiensis are presented.