ABSTRACT
The W/O xanthan fermentation is simulated by integrating the microbial kinetic behaviors and the multiple-phase process characteristics. Model 1 assumes uniform redistribution of cells, substrates and product by frequent droplet breakup and coalescence. Model 2 simulates the system of viscous aqueous phase with minimal droplet breakup and component redistribution. The real fermentation should proceed within the bounds set by the two models. Effects of various parameters are evaluated. The aqueous-phase xanthan concentration (Xn) and volumetric productivity (QP) achieved at 200 h are used as the indicators. Xn and QP increase with nitrogen-source concentration (SNO) initially but plateau (Model 1) or decrease slightly (Model 2) at high SNO. Xn (at 200 h) decreases with increasing aqueous-phase volume fraction (f). QP, however, increases with f reflecting its basing on the total dispersion volume. Increasing agitation and aeration result in higher Xn and QP. The higher agitation enhances the G/O interfacial oxygen transfer and reduces the droplet size. Increasing aeration improves the G/O interfacial transfer but increases the droplet size. Its net positive effect implies a rate-limiting step at G/O interface. The W/O fermentation can produce far higher Xn (> 200 kg/m3) and QP( > 0.8 kg/m3-h) than the conventional fermentation (Xn ∼ 50 kg/m3, QP ∼ 0.5 kg/m3-h).