Intermediate-scale, semicontinuous solid-phase fermentation process for production of fuel ethanol from sweet sorghum. [Saccharomyces cerevisiae]
A novel, semicontinuous solid-phase fermentation system was used to produce fuel ethanol from sweet sorghum. The process was at an intermediate scale. In the process, dried and shredded sweet sorghum was rehydrated to 70% moisture, acidified to pH 2.0 to 3.0, and either pasteurized (12 h at 70 to 80/sup 0/C) or not pasteurized before spray inoculation with a broth culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Fermented pulp exited the semicontinuous fermentor after a retention time of 72 h and contained approximately 6% (vol/vol) ethanol. Ethanol yields from dry sweet sorghum were 176 to 179 liters/10/sup 3/kg (85% of theoretical). Production costs for a greatly scaled-up (x1400) conceptual version of this system were projected by calculation to average $0.47/liter for 95% ethanol. The calculated energy balance (energy output/energy input ratio) was estimated to be 1.05 when pasteurization was included and 1.31 when pasteurization was omitted. In calculating the energy balances, the output energy of the protein feed byproduct and the input energy for growing the sweet sorghum were not considered. A design for the scaled-up plant (farm scale) is provided.
- Research Organization:
- South Dakota State Univ., Brookings
- OSTI ID:
- 5154454
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 51:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Solid-phase fermentation of sweet sorghum
Solid-phase fermentation of sweet sorghum
Related Subjects
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
BIOREACTORS
DESIGN
ETHANOL
BIOSYNTHESIS
SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
PRODUCTIVITY
SORGHUM
FERMENTATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
ALCOHOLS
BIOCONVERSION
CEREALS
DATA
EFFICIENCY
FUNGI
GRASS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
MICROORGANISMS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SACCHAROMYCES
SYNTHESIS
YEASTS
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& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes