Chemical Reaction Engineering Questions and Answers – Microbial Fermentation – 2

This set of Chemical Reaction Engineering Interview Questions and Answers for Experienced people focuses on “Microbial Fermentation – 2”.

1. State true or false.
For product limiting microbial fermentation in CSTR with CC0=0, CR0=0 and high CA0, washout occurs at kτ =1.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Maximum production of cells occurs at kτ =2. The concentration at which maximum production rate occurs is CR = \(\frac{C_R^*}{2}.\)

2. The plot representing the variation of CC with the residence time in a PFR for substrate limiting microbial fermentation reaction is ____
a) Plot of variation of CC with residence time in PFR for microbial fermentation - option a
b) Plot of variation of CC with residence time in PFR for microbial fermentation - option b
c) Plot of variation of CC with residence time in PFR for microbial fermentation - option c
d) Plot of variation of CC with residence time in PFR for microbial fermentation - option d
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Initially, the curve is very close to exponential decay. Deviation occurs when CA and CC change during the run. With a further increase in time, the microbial cells run out of food.

3. The slope of the curve of \(\frac{C_C}{r_C}\) and \(\frac{1}{C_A}\) for the substrate limiting microbial reaction in a batch reactor is ____
a) \(\frac{C_M}{k} \)
b) \(\frac{1}{k} \)
c) –\(\frac{C_M}{k} \)
d) –\(\frac{1}{k} \)
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The equation representing the kinetics is, \(\frac{C_C}{r_C} = \frac{1}{k} + \frac{C_M}{k}\frac{1}{C_A}.\) The slope is \(\frac{C_M}{k} \) and the line intercept is \(\frac{1}{k}. \)
advertisement
advertisement

4. The plot of \(\frac{1}{C_A}\) and τ for mixed flow substrate limiting fermentation reaction in fermenters, assuming no cells in feed stream is ___
a) Quadratic
b) Linear
c) Logarithmic
d) Exponential
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The relationship between CA and τ for mixed flow fermenter with CC0=0 is \(\frac{1}{C_A} = \frac{k}{C_M}\) τ – \(\frac{1}{C_M}.\) The plot is linear with a slope \(\frac{k}{C_M}. \)

5. Optimum operations for CSTR carrying out substrate limiting fermentation reaction occurs at ___
a) τ = \(\frac{N}{N-1} \)
b) kτ = \(\frac{N-1}{N} \)
c) kτ = \(\frac{N}{N-1} \)
d) kτ = \(\frac{N^2}{N-1} \)
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The maximum operation for a single mixed flow fermenter occurs at \(\frac{C_A}{C_{A0}} = \frac{1}{N+1}.\) kτ = \(\frac{N}{N-1}. \)

6. The plot representing the variation of rate, rC with CA for Monod type microbial fermentation occurring in a PFR is ____
a) Plot of variation of rate, rC with CA for Monod type microbial fermentation - option a
b) Plot of variation of rate, rC with CA for Monod type microbial fermentation - option b
c) Plot of variation of rate, rC with CA for Monod type microbial fermentation - option c
d) Plot of variation of rate, rC with CA for Monod type microbial fermentation - option d
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The rate is lower at the beginning. There is a leap in rate as reaction proceeds and then the rate decreases. The area under the curve gives the residence time.

7. Given the value of τopt for product limiting microbial fermentation is 2 hrs, then the value of τwashout (in hour) is ____
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: τopt = 2τwashout.
τwashout = 1 hour.
advertisement

8. If CA0 = 8 and CM = 1, the value of N is ____
a) 4
b) 1
c) 2
d) 3
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: N = (1+\(\frac{C_{A0}}{C_M}\))0.5 = (1+\(\frac{8}{1}\))0.5 = 3.

9. The value of CR,opt for product limiting microbial fermentation (in kg/m3), given the value of CR*=60 kg/m3 is ____
a) 30
b) 20
c) 15
d) 10
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: CR,opt = \(\frac{C_R*}{2} = \frac{60}{2}\) = 30 kg/m3.
advertisement

10. The value of τm,washout given N = 4 and k=1 is____
a) 1.06
b) 1.34
c) 2.45
d) 3.86
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: τm,washout = \(\frac{N^2}{(N^2-1)k} = \frac{16}{15}\) = 1.06

Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Chemical Reaction Engineering.

To practice all areas of Chemical Reaction Engineering for Interviews, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.

If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]

advertisement
advertisement
Subscribe to our Newsletters (Subject-wise). Participate in the Sanfoundry Certification contest to get free Certificate of Merit. Join our social networks below and stay updated with latest contests, videos, internships and jobs!

Youtube | Telegram | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
Manish Bhojasia - Founder & CTO at Sanfoundry
Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

Subscribe to his free Masterclasses at Youtube & discussions at Telegram SanfoundryClasses.