A mathematical model has been developed for describing the oxygen concentration during the exponential growth of microorganisms, in a static solid substrate bed supported on a tray fermentor. The model equations comprise of one partial differential equation for mass transfer and an ordinary differential equation of growth. After nondimensionlisation, analytical solution tn the model has been obtained by the method of Laplace transforms. An expression for critical thickness of bed is deduced from the model equation. The significance of the model in the design of tray fermentors is discussed. The validity of the discussion is verified by taking an illustration from the literature.