Abstract
Pilot plant trials were conducted in a corn wet mill with a 7000-L membrane recycle bioreactor (MRB) that integrated ceramic microfiltration membranes in a semi-closed loop configuration with a stirred-tank reactor. Residence times of 7.5–10 h with ethanol outputs of 10–11.5% (v/v) were obtained when the cell concentration was 60–100 g/L drywt of yeast, equivalent to about 109−1010 cells/mL. The performance of the membrane was dependent on the startup mode and pressure management techniques. A steady flux of 70 L/(m2·h) could be maintained for several days before cleaning was necessary. The benefits of the MRB include better productivity; a clear productstream containing no particulates or yeast cells, which should improve subsequent stripping and distillation operations; and substantially reduced stillage handling. The capital cost of the MRB is $21–$34/(m3·yr) ($0.08–$0.13/[gal·yr]) of ethanol capacity. Operating cost, including depreciation, energy, membrane replacement, maintenance, labor, and cleaning, is $4.5–9/m3 ($0.017–$0.034/gal) of ethanol.
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Escobar, J.M., Rane, K.D. & Cheryan, M. Ethanol production in a membrane bioreactor. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 91, 283–296 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:91-93:1-9:283
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:91-93:1-9:283