Evaluation of mass-transfer and kinetic parameters forRhodospirillum rubrum in a continuous stirred tank reactor

The photosynthetic bacteriumRhodospirillum rubrum has been evaluated for its ability to produce hydrogen from carbon monoxide and water in a continuous stirred tank reactor according to the watergas shift reaction. An assessment of mass-transfer parameters and reaction kinetics was made for this sparingly soluble substrate system. Experiments were conducted in a nonsteady-state fashion with continuous liquid and gas flow, which allowed for separation of the mass-transfer and kinetic-limited regions. Based on the data obtained, mass-transfer coefficients for the system were determined, and a mathematical expression for the reaction kinetics was formulated. The results showed that the hydrogen production was inhibited by elevated levels of dissolved carbon monoxide in the liquid.