Which bioreactor uses air-induced circulation without mechanical agitation?
Airlift bioreactors achieve efficient mixing and oxygen transfer without mechanical agitators, using gas-induced density differences to drive liquid circulation, thereby minimizing shear damage critical for fragile filamentous fungi like Aspergillus and mammalian CHO cells producing monoclonal antibodies. Design includes central draft tube dividing vessel into riser region where sparged air bubbles decrease apparent density to 800 kg per cubic meter driving upward flow at 0.5 to 2 meter per second, and downcomer region where degassed denser liquid returns by gravity creating continuous loop. I
Ref: Chisti Airlift Bioreactors 1989 Elsevier; Stanbury Ch Bioreactor configurations; PubMed airlift mixing.
