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Continuous bioethanol fermentation from wheat straw hydrolysate with high suspended solid content using an immersed
Amir Mahboubi1, Päivi Ylitervo2, Wim Doyen3
1Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery, University of Borås, 501 90 Borås, Sweden; Flemish Institute for Technological Research, VITO NV, Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium.
Bioresource Technology
|June 3, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for efficient bioethanol production from wheat straw. The MBR technology enables continuous fermentation of sugars, achieving high ethanol yields despite challenging conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Lignocellulosic bioethanol production faces industrial challenges.
- Efficient conversion of diverse sugars (pentose and hexose) is crucial.
- High solid loading fermentation requires robust technological solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize a membrane bioreactor (MBR) for continuous bioethanol production.
- To assess the MBR's performance with high suspended solid wheat straw hydrolysate.
- To achieve simultaneous co-consumption of glucose and xylose for enhanced ethanol yield.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an integrated permeate channel (IPC) membrane bioreactor (MBR) setup.
- Conducted continuous fermentation of wheat straw hydrolysate at high suspended solid (SS) concentrations (up to 20%).
- Optimized MBR operation to maintain stable permeate flux and transmembrane pressure.
Main Results:
- The MBR operated effectively at high SS concentrations without flux or pressure changes.
- High retained cell concentrations enabled yeast to tolerate and detoxify inhibitory compounds.
- Achieved co-consumption of all glucose and up to 83% of xylose.
- Reached up to 83% of the theoretical ethanol yield in continuous fermentation.
Conclusions:
- The developed MBR system is a viable technological approach for efficient lignocellulosic bioethanol production.
- The MBR facilitates simultaneous fermentation of pentose and hexose sugars from challenging feedstocks.
- This method offers a promising solution for industrial-scale bioethanol manufacturing.
