Ethanol fermentation kinetics in a continuous and closed-circulating fermentation system with a pervaporation...

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Biochemical Engineering
• Fermentation Technology

Background:

• Ethanol fermentation is crucial for biofuel and chemical production.
• Optimizing fermentation kinetics and productivity remains a key challenge.
• Continuous fermentation systems offer potential for enhanced efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the kinetics of ethanol fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
• To evaluate a continuous and closed-circulating fermentation (CCCF) system.
• To assess the performance of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pervaporation membrane bioreactor.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a continuous and closed-circulating fermentation (CCCF) system.
• Integrated a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) pervaporation membrane bioreactor.
• Conducted three sequential 500-h experimental cycles.

Main Results:

• Achieved a glucose volumetric consumption of 3.8 g L(-1) h(-1).
• Obtained an ethanol volumetric productivity of 1.39 g L(-1) h(-1) in the third cycle.
• Recorded a specific glucose utilization rate of 0.32 h(-1) and ethanol yield rate of 0.13 h(-1).

Conclusions:

• The CCCF system demonstrated prolonged fermentation times with good performance.
• The integration of PDMS pervaporation membranes shows promise for efficient ethanol production.
• CCCF technology is a feasible and promising approach for industrial fermentation processes.