Heat Transfer in Citric Acid Production with Axial and Radial Flow Impellers

In order to produce fermentation broth for downstream recovery, a total of 15 fermentations were done in a 15 m3 and two 7.5 m3 vessels. Apart from the evaluation of fermentation yield and productivity, information on the heat and mass transfer coefficients were required for design purposes. The focus of the fermentation study was therefore directed to obtain information on broth rheology, heat transfer aspects and considerations. Broth rheology was found to deviate from Newtonian behavior with increasing biomass concentration. Using axial flow impellers, rather than radial flow producing Rushton turbines, significantly improved heat transfer in this study.