Mohammadreza Mehrnia - Tarbiat Modarres University , Chesmical Engineering Department , Biotechnology Group, Tehran, Iran
Jafar Towfighi - Tarbiat Modarres University , Chesmical Engineering Department , Biotechnology Group, Tehran, Iran
Akbarnejad
Bonakdarpour

Hydrodynamics and oxygen transfer characteristics of draft – tube airlift bioreactors (DTABs) containing water-in-kerosene microemulsion, as a cold model petroleum biodesulfurization, water investigated. In contrast to decrease in aerartion efficiency at higher gas flow rate for water-based systems, operation at higher gas flow rate in DATBs for biodesulfurization process was proposed. Increases in draft-tube surface area was found to be an effective means for enhancement of both mixing and oxygen transfer in DTABs containing water – in – kerosene micromulsion.

airlift bioteactor , hydrodynamics , oxygen transfer , biodesulfurization