Modelling of a packed bed solid-state fermentation bioreactor using the N-tanks in series approach

Modelling of bioreactors employed in solid-state fermentation processes can play a crucial role in the analysis, design and development of bioprocesses based on the phenomena; which encompass a variety of applications ranging from the production of enzymes to the treatment of agro-industrial residues. In the present work, a mathematical model has been developed for a packed bed solid-state fermentation Bioreactor employing the N-tanks in series approach. The model analyses the production of protease enzyme by Aspergillus niger and is validated against an experimental study available in the literature which describes its growth during solid-state fermentation.The primary importance of employing the method is to demonstrate its successful application to the solution of model equations to situations where axial gradients dominate. As a consequence, the approach not only helps in avoiding the use of complex computational methods like orthogonal collocation but also contributes in providing insights to the design of bioreactors.