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Title: Continuous ethanol production and cell growth in an immobilized-cell bioreactor employing Zymomonas mobilis

Journal Article · · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)

Ethanol-producing bioreactors employing cells of Zymomonas attached to glass-fiber pads were operated continuously for as long as 28 days. Ethanol production, which is related to bed-associated biomass levels, was found to occur in three distinct phases: an exponential phase, a linear phase, and a ''steady-state'' phase. After prolonged operation, a bacterial floc developed in the reactor. The maximum effluent ethanol concentration and the maximum volumetric productivity were 6.4% and 152 g/L/h, respectively, and both were attained at a liquid residence time of from 10-15 minutes. Both maxima occurred after the development of the bacterial floc. The flocculant bacterium has been isolated and tentatively identified as a flocculant strain of Z. mobilis. (Refs. 17).

Research Organization:
Chemical Tech Div, Oak Ridge National Lab Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
OSTI ID:
5122217
Journal Information:
Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Vol. 24:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English