The growth rate and the maximum cell concentration of methanotrophic bacteria are limited by the transfer of methane and oxygen to the culture fluid. The operation under moderate pressure results in an increase in driving force for the mass transfer of both nutrients and, therefore, in a large increase in the attainable biomass concentration.

Our laboratory pressure fermenter with a volume of 12 litres operates under a system pressure of up to 0.5 MPa. In this reactor a maximum productivity of 6 g biomass/lh is achieved. However, operating under moderate system pressure and exhaust gas recycling has also disadvantages because the concentrations of the gas phase components may inhibit the growth process.

From the results of the laboratory fermenter we have developed kinetic models of the influence of dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide on the specific growth rate of the methanotrophic strain GB 25. These models are the basis for processing under increased system pressure and exhaust gas recycling.