Hydrodynamic characterization of a novel external loop airlift inverse semi-fluidized bed reactor packed with loofa particles

In biochemical processes, column reactors replaced the stirred tank reactors for their advantages, like mild agitation. Among different configurations of column reactors airlift reactors constitute attractive systems for bio-catalyzed reactions due to the simple de-sign, low investment and operation costs. The advantages of combined external loop airlift and fluidized bed reactor in the downcomer over three-phase fluidized bed reactor and other configuration of airlift reactors are the unique hydrodynamic properties as it requires lower liquid flow rate for complete suspension of solid and good contact among the phases, easy removal of particles, rapid mixing, and easier scale up. This enables inverse fluidizing of low-density particles in the downcomer zone, characterized by low shear rates.