ABSTRACT
Nonlinear models of continuous bioreactors are known to exhibit a variety of phenomena ranging from steady-state multiplicity to sustained oscillations. The study of the complex behavior exhibited by these models is not only of theoretical relevance, for these phenomena are rather common in a number of processes. Examples include the multiple steady states exhibited by some cultures [378, 379] and the oscillatory behavior observed during the continuous growth of some populations [87, 151, 274] as well as the unstable behavior found in continuous cultures of recombinant DNA [268]. Large fluctuations or instabilities in bioreactors can pose safety hazards and adversely affect the productivity of the unit.
