Expressions of mass transfer coefficients of bubbles and free surface of culture tanks using the k–ɛ turbulence model

For mammalian cell culture, getting a continuous supply of oxygen and extracting carbon dioxide are primary challenges even in the most modern biopharmaceutical manufacturing plants, due to the low oxygen solubility and excessive carbon dioxide accumulation. In addition, various independent flow and mass transfer characteristics in the culture tanks vessel make scale-up extremely difficult. One method for overcoming these and providing rational optimization is solving the fluid and mass transport equations by numerical simulation. To develop a simulation program, it is decisively important to know mass transfer coefficients of gaseous species in the culture tank. In this study, oxygen mass transfer coefficients are measured using a beaker with a sparger and impellers. In order to investigate the formulation of the mass transfer coefficients, the turbulent flow statistics is calculated by a CFD code for all cases, and the expressions of the mass transfer coefficients are established as functions of the statistics. Until now, the expression by Kawase is known in this field. This expression becomes a function only of energy dissipation rate ɛ. It does not coincide with the conventional experimental fact that mass transfer coefficient is proportional power 0.5 of impeller rotation speed. The new mass transfer coefficient is dependent on both of energy dissipation rate ɛ and turbulent flow energy k. It satisfies the relation of power of 0.5 of impeller rotation speed.