Types

Batch and continuous are the two main types used in industrial fermentation processes.

Batch fermenters

They are vessels in which the entire fermentation process from inoculation of microorganisms to harvest of products occurs in the same single vessel. The spent media containing microbes and products is removed only after the completion of the fermentation cycle. Batch systems are easy to control and operate as each batch is independent. However, they have lower productivity than continuous systems.

Continuous fermenters
They perform Fermenter as a continuous process where fresh media is continuously added to the vessel while equivalent volumes of fermenting media containing microbes and products are simultaneously removed. They have higher volumetric productivity compared to batch systems since they can operate for longer durations without downtime between batches. However, they are more complex to design and control due to the continuous input-output workflow.

Key components 

A typical industrial fermenter consists of the following main components:

Vessel

The vessel or tank that houses the fermenting media. It is made of corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel. Different vessel geometries are used based on the process requirements.

Agitator

The agitator constantly mixes the fermentation broth to ensure homogenous distribution of microbes, nutrients, and prevent settlement at the bottom. Common agitator designs include radial, axial, and marine impellers.

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