Calculation of fermentation parameters from the results of a batch test taking account of the volume of biomass in the fermenting medium
The values of fermentation parameters calculated from the measured concentrations of substrates and/or products may be significantly affected by the volume of biomass in the fermenting medium. Corrections proposed in this paper should be evaluated and, depending on their magnitude, considered in order to obtain more representative results.
VARIATION OF THE ETHANOL YIELD DURING VERY RAPID BATCH FERMENTATION OF SUGAR-CANE BLACKSTRAP MOLASSES
During rapid ethanol fermentation (2-3 h) of sugar-cane blackstrap molasses, a significant increase in the ethanol yield was frequently observed as fermentation proceeded, eventually leading to yields higher than the theoretical value when the end of the process was approached. In order to explain the above facts, three assumptions were examined: 1. temporary ethanol accumulation within the yeast cells; 2. variation of the dry matter content and/or of the microorganism density during the fermentation; 3. transformation of sugars into undetectable extra-cellular fermentable compounds at the initial stages of the process. Based on the experimental results presented here, the third of the above assumptions seems to explain the observed increase in the ethanol yield.
Influence of exponentially decreasing feeding rates on fed-batch ethanol fermentation of sugar cane blackstrap molasses
SummaryThe ethanol yield was not affected and the ethanol productivity was increased when exponentially decreasing feeding rates were used instead of constant feeding rates in fed batch ethanol fermentations. The influences of the initial sugar feeding rate on the ethanol productivity, on the constant ethanol production rate during the feeding phase and on the initial ethanol production specific rate are represented by Monod-like equations.