Techniques for oxygen transfer measurement in bioreactors: a review

Oxygen is the most essential requirement for aerobic bioprocesses. The microbial growth in a bioreactor depends upon the oxygen transfer rate (OTR). The OTR is widely used to study the growth behavior of microbial and plant cell cultures. The mass transfer coefficient (k(L)a) determines the magnitude of the OTR. There are many techniques for measuring oxygen concentration and OTR in bioreactors. Zirconia, electrochemical, infrared, ultrasonic and laser cells are used to measure oxygen concentration in the liquid medium. Optical sensors are better alternatives to measure oxygen concentration in small bioreactors. Sulfite oxidation and gassing-out methods with a Clark-type electrode have been used for OTR measurements in bioreactors. Many new novel techniques have evolved recently for intermittent and continuous online measurement of OTR/k(L)a in various types of bioreactors. The present paper gives an overview of various measurement techniques and their limitations and/or suitability for measurement of OTR/k(L)a in various kinds of bioreactors, especially small bioreactors. (C) 2009 Society of Chemical Industry