Recycle in fermentation processes

Until recently, the recycle of the solid (microbial), liquid, or gaseous phases in microbiological processes has only been practiced rarely, with the notable exception of activated sludge processes for wastewater treatment, where recycling of a large fraction of the microbial phase is essential for process stability and performance. During the last decade, the economic impact of a number of politically motivated changes with respect to energy and feedstock costs and availability, and legislation directed towards markedly higher levels of environmental protection have encouraged the evaluation and subsequent development of recycle technology in the fermentation industry. Many of the developments have occurred in isolation and some have failed to result in either an improvement in process economics or any reduction in the quantity of pollutants discharged. This article seeks to review the present diversity of approaches to recycle technology in fermentation processes in order to provide a sensible basis for future developments.