A 2D analysis of oxygen transportation in a novel bioreactor based on oxygen carrier for bio-artificial liver support system

Abstract

Bioreactor (BR) is the key component of bio-artificial liver support system (BALSS). Sufficient mass transfer in BR is of great importance for hepatocytes and is essential to BALSS' fine quality. In this paper, a mathematical model describing oxygen distribution in a suspension BR with perfluorocarbons (PFC) called oxygen carrier was developed to obtain the most efficient BR operating parameters. The 2D model is based on the geometry of BR operated under unsteady-state conditions, and the BR which rotates periodically has two inlets and outlets working alternatively. The model equations are solved using the finite element software (Fluent). The calculated results of oxygen distribution showed that 200 ml/min to 400 ml/min inlet velocity with 0.3 min to 0.5 min BR