ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the strategy for selection and design of bioreactors and identify the limits and constraints in their use. The evolution of bioreactors, whether for cheese production or synthesis of antibiotics, is driven by a need to increase the rate of product formation and the quality of the product or service. Bioreactor design has focused on improved biocatalysts; better process control, more recently with computers; better aseptic design and operation; and innovative ways to overcome rate-limiting steps, especially for heat and mass transfer. Bioreactors may be batch, semi-continuous, or continuous reactors; furthermore, continuous bioreactors may be continuous stirred tank reactors or plug flow reactors. While bioreactors can be loaded with sufficient catalyst to achieve very high rates of product formation, there are physical constraints in the design and operation of the reactors that prevent one from realizing these rates.
