A constant-depth laboratory model film fermentor
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Julian W. T. Wimpenny; Adrian Peters
- Source
- Biotechnology and bioengineering. 32(3)
- Subject
- Materials science
Steady state
Polytetrafluoroethylene
Scanning electron microscope
Mineralogy
Bioengineering
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
River water
chemistry.chemical_compound
chemistry
Electron micrographs
Bioreactor
Fermentation
Composite material
Biotechnology
- Language
- ISSN
- 0006-3592
A laboratory model constant-depth film fermentor was developed. Film grew on the surface of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plugs and was limited to a predetermined depth by mechanically removing excess film. Six film-forming organisms were isolated from river water and used to assess the operating characteristics of the fermentor. Film accumulation was logarithmic, and a steady state was maintained. Electron micrographs show early film development. The fermentor enables film to be grown on any substratum and allows discrete, reproducible, and representative samples to be taken.