Analysis of fed-batch fermentation processes by graphical methods

Graphical methods are used for many types of engineering calculations. Their appeal is often related to calculational simplicity, but probably the increased understanding that accompanies a graphical calculation method is chiefly responsible for their popularity. In the present work existing graphical concepts which have been used in chemical reaction engineering and fermentation technology have been extended to allow the calculation of biomass and product formation for a variety of fermentation processes. Comparisons in productivity are made among chemostat, batch, fed batch with variable and constant feed rate, and cyclic fed-batch operations.