Fermentation in a fluidized-bed reactor

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · Chem. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6704007

Scott, C D

A laboratory-scale fluidized-bed bioreactor system for the production of ethanol from a glucose solution using flocculating Zymomonas mobilis was studied. Although the results are preliminary, 2.5- to 3.8-cm-diameter systems were operated for more than 300 h using fluidized floc particles that are 1-2 mm in diameter. The ethanol production rate in the lower portion of the fluidized bed operating at 30/sup 0/C routinely exceeded 200 g/L x h and under some conditions was as high as 400 g/ L x h with a reactor residence time of a few minutes. This far surpasses the results obtained with a batch, stirred-tank reactor using yeast. Ethanol productivity based on the total reactor volume approached 100 g/L x h, and glucose conversion exceeded 95%. With continued research, even higher production rates will be possible as conditions are optimized and scale-up to larger systems will allow the establishment of technical feasibility.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• OSTI ID: 6704007
• Journal Information: Chem. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 13
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
BIOREACTORS
PERFORMANCE
ETHANOL
PRODUCTION
FERMENTATION
FLUIDIZED BED
GLUCOSE
ZYMOMONAS MOBILIS
ALCOHOLS
ALDEHYDES
BACTERIA
BIOCONVERSION
CARBOHYDRATES
HEXOSES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
MONOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SACCHARIDES
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