Which term is used for the large vessel where bioreactors are used and fermentation occurs, also called fermenter?

Which term is used for the large vessel where bioreactors are used and fermentation occurs, also called fermenter?

• A. Distillation column
• B. Fermenter
• C. Bioreactor
• D. Heat exchanger

Answer: (C)

Bioreactor is the vessel that houses a biological process, providing the controlled environment (pH, temperature, oxygen, mixing) needed for growth and reaction of biological cultures. Fermentation is a specific type of bioprocess that can occur inside such a vessel. So the vessel used to carry out fermentation, and more broadly any biological production process, is termed a bioreactor. A fermenter is the common name for a bioreactor used specifically for fermentation, but in engineering terms the device falls under the umbrella of bioreactors. The other options don’t apply here: a distillation column is for separating components by vapor–liquid equilibrium, and a heat exchanger only transfers heat between streams.

Bioreactor is the vessel that houses a biological process, providing the controlled environment (pH, temperature, oxygen, mixing) needed for growth and reaction of biological cultures. Fermentation is a specific type of bioprocess that can occur inside such a vessel. So the vessel used to carry out fermentation, and more broadly any biological production process, is termed a bioreactor. A fermenter is the common name for a bioreactor used specifically for fermentation, but in engineering terms the device falls under the umbrella of bioreactors. The other options don’t apply here: a distillation column is for separating components by vapor–liquid equilibrium, and a heat exchanger only transfers heat between streams.