FURI | Fall 2022

Heat Transfer Modeling of Solid-State Fermentation Bioreactors to Produce Medicine in Space Habitats

This project seeks to determine the most optimal design for growing penicillin through solid-state fermentation (SSF) bioreactors. SSF is a promising method used to grow fungi, which can produce antibiotics like penicillin. Compared to other methods, SSF results in higher yields of penicillin in less time and requires fewer resources — which is ideal in resource-sensitive environments such as spacecraft on long-term exploration missions. The heat transfer of various SSF bioreactors were modeled to determine which design resulted in the most optimal regulation of heat through forced aeration and agitation.