Optimizing alcohol production from whey using computer technology. [Kluyveromyces fragilis]
This study was undertaken with the major goal of optimizing the ethanol production from whey using computer technology. To reach this goal, a mathematical model that would describe the fermentation and that could be used for the optimization was developed. Kluyveromyces fragilis was the microorganism used to ferment the lactose in the whey into ethanol. Preliminary studies showed that K. fragilis produced about 90% of the theoretical ethanol yield when grown in whey-complemented media. However, when this yeast is grown in nonsupplemented whey media, it does not produce more than 32% of that yield. Comparative batch fermentations of lactose and whey-complemented media showed that whey possibly contains enhancing components for yeast growth and ethanol production. To obtain the mathematical model, the one-to-one effect of the process variables (lactose and yeast extract concentrations, air flow rate, pH, and dilution rate) on the ethanol production were first investigated. Experiments on the pH effect showed that a decrease in pH from 7 to 4 produced an increase in ethanol concentration from 16.5 to 26.5 g/L (50 g/L initial lactose). The results obtained from modeling of the continuous fermentation using the previously listed variables showed that air flow rate, pH, and dilution rate were the process variables that most influence the production of ethanol.
- Research Organization:
- Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY
- OSTI ID:
- 5659304
- Journal Information:
- Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Vol. 27:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ETHANOL
BIOSYNTHESIS
FERMENTATION
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
WHEY
YEASTS
PRODUCTIVITY
CONTINUOUS CULTURE
DATA ACQUISITION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
LACTOSE
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
OPTIMIZATION
PH VALUE
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
THEORETICAL DATA
ALCOHOLS
BIOCONVERSION
CARBOHYDRATES
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DATA
DISACCHARIDES
FUNGI
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
INFORMATION
MICROORGANISMS
NUMERICAL DATA
OLIGOSACCHARIDES
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
SACCHARIDES
SYNTHESIS
WASTES
090222* - Alcohol Fuels- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass- (1976-1989)
140504 - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)