Agitation and Aeration: an Automated Didactic Experiment

Authors

  • Alberto C. Badino, Jr. Federal University of Sao Carlos
  • Paulo I.F. De Almeida Federal University of Sao Carlos
  • Anotonio J.G. Cruz Federal University of Sao Carlos

Abstract

In this article, automated didactic equipment for practical lessons in agitation and aeration unit operations is presented. During the production of baker's yeast, students could monitor and visualize changes in major variables, such as stirrer speed, air flow-rate, dissolved oxygen concentration, and power consumption through a supervisory computer in communication with a set of Programmable Logic Controllers. A simple method of determining the volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient was used and traditional correlations for the control and scale-up of agitated and aerated tanks were obtained.

Author Biographies

Alberto C. Badino, Jr., Federal University of Sao Carlos

Alberto C. Badino, Jr., is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of Sao Carlos. He received his Doctorate in Biochemical Engineering from the State University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) in 1997. His research interests are in mass transfer, hydrodynamics, and rheology of fermentation broths in conventional and nonconventional bioreactors.

Paulo I.F. De Almeida, Federal University of Sao Carlos

Paulo Ignacio F. Almeida is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of Sao Carlos. He received a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering in Thermal and Fluids Area from the State University of Campinas (Brazil) in 1992. His research interests are in plantwide control, automation, and control of batch industrial chemical and biochemical processes.

Anotonio J.G. Cruz, Federal University of Sao Carlos

Antonio J.G. Cruz is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of Sao Carlos. He received his Doctorate in Modeling and Simulation of Biochemical Processes from the Federal University of Sao Gatos (Brazil) in 2000. His research interests are in modeling, simulation, control, and instrumentation of bioprocess.

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Published

2004-04-01

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 2 (2004): Spring 2004

Section

Manuscripts