bio ethanol icr
TRANSCRIPT
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Continous Immbolizied Cell
Reactor
MANOJ SELVARAJ
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I
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………. 1
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Fermentation of bioethanol
2.1.1 Microbes for fermentation ………………………………………………….. 5
2.1.2 Fermentation aspects ………………………………………………….. …… 6
2.1.3 Fermentation Pathway ………………………………………………………. 7
2.2 Immobilization ………………………………………………………………………. 8
2.3 Batch Reactors ……………………………………………………………………….. 11
2.4 Packed Bed Reactors …………………………………………………………………. 13
2.5 Fluidized Bed Reactor ………………………………………………………………… 15
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Immobilization procedure ………………………………………………………………… 20
3.2 Procedure for glucose assay by Dinitrosalicylic Colorimetric Method (DNS)
3.2.1 Solutions preparation …………………………………………………………… 21
3.2.2 Procedure for standard plot ……………………………………………………... 21
3.2.3 Procedure to determine unknown glucose concentration ……………………….. 22
3.3 Procedure for ethanol assay
3.3.1 Solutions preparation ……………………………………………………………. 22
3.3.2 Titration procedure ………………………………………………………………. 23
3.3.3 Calculation ……………………………………………………………………….. 24
3.4 Fermentation medium preparation …………………………………………………………. 25
3.5 Batch reactor ………………………………………………………………………………...26
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II
3.6 Procedure to measure dry weight of yeast cells for growth curve ……………………….. 27
3.7 Immobilized Cell Reactor (ICR) setup …………………………………………………… 28
CHAPTER 4 RESULTS
4.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………….. 30
4.2 Baker’s yeast growth curve ……………………………………………………………….. 31
4.3 Standard plot for glucose assay …………………………………………………………… 34
4.4 Batch reactor …..................................................................................................................... 36
4.5 Immobilization ………………………………………………………….. ……………….. 40
4.6 Immobilized Cell Reactor ………………………………………………………………… 43
4.7 Sample calculation for ethanol concentration …………………………………………….. 45
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION
5.1 Discussion …………………………………………………………………………………. 47
5.2 Future work ………………………………………………………………………………... 47
REFERENCES
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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction:
The term bio-fuels can refer to fuels for direct combustion for energy production, but is generally
used for liquid fuels in transportation sector. The use of bio-fuels can contribute to the mitigation
of greenhouse gas emissions, provide a clean and therefore sustainable energy source, and
increase the agricultural income for rural poor in developing countries. Today, bio-fuels are
predominantly produced from renewable biomass resources. Biomass appears to be an attractive
feedstock for three main reasons [18],
(1) It is a renewable resource
(2) It appears to have formidably positive environmental properties resulting in no net
release of carbon dioxide and negligible sulfur content which reduces acid rains.
(3) It appears to have significant economic potential provided that fossil fuel prices
increase in the future.
Bio-fuels are liquid or gaseous fuels made from plant materials and residues, such as agricultural
crops, municipal wastes and agricultural and forestry by-products. Liquid bio-fuels can be used
as an alternative fuel for transport, as can other alternatives such as liquid natural gas (LNG),
compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Bio-fuels could significantly
reduce the emissions from the road-transport sector if they were widely adopted. They have been
shown to reduce carbon emissions, and may help to increase energy security. There are many
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different types of bio-fuels, which are produced from various crops and via different processes.
Bio-fuels can be classified broadly as bio-diesel and bio-ethanol, and then subdivided into
conventional or advanced fuels.
With increasing gap between the energy requirement of the industrialized world and inability to
replenish such needs from the limited sources of energy like fossil fuels, an ever increasing level
of greenhouse pollution from the combustion of fossil fuels in turn aggravate the perils of global
warming and energy crisis. [18]
The principle fuel used as a petrol substitute for road transport vehicles is bioethanol. Bioethanol
fuel is mainly produced by the sugar (especially from glucose) fermentation process, although it
can also be manufactured by the chemical process of reacting ethylene with steam. The main
sources of sugar required to produce ethanol come from energy crops. These crops are grown
specifically for energy use and include corn, maize and wheat crops, waste straw, willow and
popular trees, sawdust, reed canary grass, cord grasses, Jerusalem artichoke, myscanthus and
sorghum plants. There is also ongoing research and development into the use of municipal solid
wastes to produce bioethanol fuel.
Ethanol or ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH) is a clear colorless liquid; it is biodegradable, low in toxicity
and causes little environmental pollution if spilt. Ethanol burns to produce carbon dioxide and
water. Ethanol is a high octane fuel and has replaced lead as an octane enhancer in petrol. By
blending ethanol with gasoline the fuel mixture gets oxygenated so it burns more completely and
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reduces polluting emissions. Ethanol blended fuels are widely sold in the United States. The
most common blend is 10% ethanol and 90% petrol (E10). Vehicle engines require no
modifications to run on E10 and vehicle warranties are unaffected also. Only flexible fuel
vehicles can run on up to 85% ethanol and 15% petrol blends (E85). The Brazilian car
manufacturing industry developed flexible-fuel vehicles that can run on hydrous ethanol (E100).
In the past decades, microbial ethanol production has been focused and considered as an
alternative fuel for future since fossil fuel is depleted. Several microorganisms, including
Clostridium bacterium, the well-known yeast ethanol producers, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and
Zymomonas mobilis are suitable candidates to produce ethanol [3].However the yeast,
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is the predominant industrial microorganism responsible for alcoholic
fermentations. The organism is also known as baker’s yeast or brewer’s yeast, is a unicellular
micro fungus that plays important roles in industry, the environment and medical science. It is
the main “cell factory” in modern bioethanol production processes. [18]
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This project concentrates on increasing the concentration of the bioethanol produced.
Conventionally by batch production around 8% (v/v) is produced. There are various other
reactors which could produce higher ethanol concentration and in lower time. The purpose of
this research was to compare the ethanol production with various different types of reactors
under the same operating condition. First and foremost, ethanol was produced using a 500 ml
batch reactor with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Ethanol concentration of about 7.7% (v/v)
was produced. Next the Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast was immobilized using an entrapment
technique utilizing alginate as a porous wall to retain the yeast cells. Later an immobilized cell
reactor (ICR) was used to produce ethanol concentration up to 12.2% (v/v).
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CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Fermentation of Bioethanol
2.1.1 Microbes for fermentation
Graeme M Walker (2010) claims that the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is the
predominant industrial microorganism responsible for alcoholic fermentations. This organism,
also known as baker’s or brewer’s yeast, is a unicellular micro fungus that plays important role
in industry, the environment and medical science. It has been exploited for millennia in food and
beverage fermentations and is the main “cell factory” in modern bioethanol production
processes. He also explains that in order to grow and ferment, yeast cells require a range of
essential nutrients [6]. These can be categorized as:
• Macronutrients (sources of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, phosphorus, potassium,
and magnesium) required at the millimolar level in growth media;
• Micronutrients (sources of trace elements such as Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) required at the
micromolar level.
Most yeast grows quite well in simple nutritional media, which supplies carbon and nitrogen-
backbone compounds together with inorganic ions and a few growth factors. The latter are
organic compounds required in very low concentrations for specific catalytic or structural roles
in yeast, but are not used as energy sources. Growth factors for yeast include vitamins, which
serve vital functions as components of coenzymes; purines and pyrimidines; nucleosides and
nucleotides; amino acids; fatty acids; sterols; and other miscellaneous compounds (e.g.,
polyamines).[6]
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Most yeast thrives in warm, dilute, sugary, acidic, and aerobic environments. Industrial S.
cerevisiae strains grow best at a temperature range of 20-30ºC and between pH 4.5 and 5.5.
Concerning oxygen requirements, S. cerevisiae is not, strictly speaking, a facultative anaerobe
and is generally unable to grow well under completely anaerobic conditions. This is because
oxygen is needed as a growth factor for membrane biosynthesis, specifically for fatty acid
(e.g. oleic acid) and sterol (e.g.ergosterol) biosynthesis. [6]
2.1.2 Fermentation Aspects
According to Greame M Walker (2010) the traditional way of producing Bioethanol
would be to mix sugar, water and yeast bacteria, which are then allowed to ferment in warm
environment. Gradually the mixture becomes a liquid that has an approximate of fifteen percent
alcohol. As and how the alcohol percentage increases, the yeast consumes itself in the process
and dies out eventually which stops the process altogether. Then the liquid mash that is created is
distilled and purified to get approximately ninety-nine point five percent Bioethanol. Thus this
process of fermentation is a series of chemical reactions wherein the simple sugars are converted
into ethanol. Yeast or bacteria, which feed on the sugars, cause the reaction and thus
fermentation occurs. Ethanol and carbon dioxide are produced as and how the yeast consumes
the sugar. [6][13] The above reaction can be represented as,
C6H12O6 (glucose) —> 2 CH3CH2OH (ethanol)+ 2 CO2 (carbon dioxide)
In this kind of a process of production, bioethanol is derived from a variety of sugar and starch-
rich crops, which includes grain, corn, sugar cane, and sugar beet. The process of traditional
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production of this kind of substitute fuel is well-known and easy process that only consists of the
fermentation of the sugar, similar to the process used to prepare beverages like whisky or vodka.
2.1.3 Fermentation Pathway
Michael L Schuler (2009) explains the fermentations pathway of glucose getting
converted to ethanol. The oxidation of glucose is known as glycolysis. Glucose is
oxidized to either lactate or pyruvate. Under aerobic conditions, the dominant product in
most tissues is pyruvate and the pathway is known as aerobic glycolysis. When oxygen is
depleted, as for instance during prolonged vigorous exercise, the dominant glycolytic
product in many tissues is lactate and the process is known as anaerobic glycolysis.
Glucose + 2 ADP + 2 NAD+
The
overall reaction of glycolysis is: [13]
+ 2 Pi ——> 2 Pyruvate + 2 ATP + 2 NADH + 2 H+
Where, ATP = adenosine tri phosphate (biological energy)
NAD =Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
NAD+ = oxidized form of NAD
NADH = reduced form of NAD
Pi =inorganic phosphate
C6H12O6
Glucose CH3COCOOH
Pyruvate
CH3CHO + CO2
Acetaldehyde +
CO2
CH3CH2OH
Ethanol
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2.2 Immobilization
Pilkington P H (1997) explains that immobilization may be used as a tool to confine
intact cells to an inert carrier within a bioreactor. Pilkington P H (1997) lists out that this "tool"
will further increase the efficiency of a continuous fermentation system by providing: [16]
High cell densities per unit bioreactor volume which result in very high fermentation
rates.
The reuse of the same biocatalysts (yeast cells) for extended periods of time due to
constant cell regeneration.
a continuous process which may be operated beyond the nominal washout rate
A discrete phase in which cells may be manipulated.
Easy separation of biocatalyst from the liquid phase where the desired products are
present thus minimizing separation costs.
Higher cell densities combined with operation at high dilution rates, decreasing the risk
of reactor shutdown due to contamination.
Improved tolerance or protection of cells from product inhibition.
Smaller bioreactor volumes which may lower capital costs.
Pilkington P H suggests that an immobilized cell system should have the following
properties for large scale industrial application: [16]
The carrier material must be nontoxic, readily available and affordable;
The system should be efficient, easy to operate and give good yields;
The carrier material should allow for high cell loading and physical strength;
The cells should have a prolonged viability in the support.
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Kourkoutas Y (2003) claims that numerous biotechnological processes are advantaged by
immobilization techniques and therefore several such techniques and support materials have
been proposed. Kourkoutas Y (2003) lists these techniques into four major categories based on
the physical mechanism employ, [9]
i. Attachment or adsorption on solid carrier surfaces,
ii. Entrapment within a porous matrix,
iii. Self aggregation by flocculation (natural) or with cross linking agents (artificially
induced),
iv. cell containment behind barriers
Yekta G Ksungur (2000) says that the most effective and efficient way of immobilizing
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is with Ca-Alginate. He further explains that prior to the
immobilization step, S. cerevisiae cells should be grown at 30oC for 36 hours in a temperature
controlled shaker.
The composition of the growth medium was
Glucose – 15 g/l
(NH4)2SO4 - 18 g/l
(NH4)2HPO4 – 10g/l
KH2PO4 -5g/l
MgSO4 – 5 g/l
yeast extract – 1g/l
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Fifty milliliters of this growth medium was mixed with an equal volume (1:1, v/v) of
4% (w/v) Na-alginate solution. A 100 ml aliquot of alginate-cell suspension containing 2%
Na-alginate was added drop wise to 1000 ml of 2% CaCl2 with a peristaltic pump. Alginate
drops solidified upon contact with CaCl2, forming beads and thus entrapping bacterial cells.
The beads were allowed to harden for 30 min and then were washed with sterile saline
solution (0.85% NaCl) to remove excess calcium ions and cells. Yekta G Ksungur (2000)
researched that with the immobilized beads in a packed bed reactor has 4.2 times better
productivity than a batch reactor and in the packed bed reactor reduced inhibition from both
product and toxic materials in the substrate. [22]
The potential use of immobilized cells in fermentation processes for fuel production has
been described previously. If intact microbial cells are directly immobilized, the removal of
microorganisms from downstream product can be omitted and the loss of intracellular enzyme
activity can be kept to a minimum. [5]
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2.3 Batch Reactors:
According to Greame M Walker (2010) the majority of bioreactions are batch-wise.
Furthermore the first phase of batch bioreactions is commonly sterilization, after which the
sterile culture medium is inoculated with microorganisms that have been cultivated to achieve a
specific result. During this dynamic reaction period, cells, substrates (including the nutrient salts
and vitamins) and concentrations of the products vary with time. Proper mixing keeps the
differences in composition and temperature at acceptable levels. To promote aerobic cultivation,
the medium is aerated to provide a continuous flow of oxygen. Gaseous byproducts formed, such
as CO2, are removed, and aeration and gas-removal processes take place continuously. Next the
pH is controlled to the required optimum value for maximum efficiency. To keep foaming to
acceptable levels, antifoaming agents may be added when indicated by a foam sensor. [6]
According to Pramanik K (2003) when a one liter batch reactor is used with an initial
sugar concentration of 100 g/l, and with a fermentation time of 72hrs, ethanol concentration up
to 45.5 g/l with baker’s yeast. If Saccharomyces cerevisiae is separated out from other substances
like toddy, under the same conditions ethanol concentrations can go up to 48 g/l. Pramanik K
(2003) also found out the effect of various operating conditions like temperature, inoculum time,
pH etc on ethanol concentration. The ideal operating conditions for maximum ethanol
concentration are, [17]
pH = 4.25
Temperature = 30 o C
Initial Sugar Concentration = 100 g/l
Inoculum time = 24 hrs
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Pramnik K (2003) mentions that, the effect of inoculum time is not considerable.
However the other factors have considerable effect on ethanol concentration. In particular high
initial sugar concentration has a huge effect on ethanol concentration; Pramnik K (2003) explains
this as the inhibitory effect of high sugar concentrations for alcoholic fermentation may be due to
plasmolysis of yeast cells. [17]
Adding to MaziarSafaeiAsli (2009), that media composition also has an effect on ethanol
concentration. The maximum ethanol concentration was achieved when K2HPO4 is used as
phosphorous source, (NH4)2SO4 is used as a nitrogen source and beef extract is used instead of
yeast extract as a nutrient. [12]
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2.4 Packed Bed Reactor:
Several studies have described continuous ethanol production using Ca-Alginate immobilized
yeasts with different bioreactor configurations. In these studies, the most commonly used
bioreactors are the continuous flow stirred tank bioreactor, fluidized-bed bioreactor and packed-
bed bioreactor. Packed-bed bioreactors have become very popular in recent years due to their
low manufacturing and operating costs and also due to the ease of process automation in these
reactors. [22]
GhasemNajafpour (2003) used the term immobilized cell reactor (ICR) for a packed bed
bioreactor. The ICR was a plug flow tubular column, constructed with a nominal diameter of 5
cm, ID of 4.6 cm, Plexiglas of 3 mm wall thickness and 85 cm length. 70% of the column
volume was packed with Ca-Alginate beads immobilized with yeast. With an initial sugar
concentration of 50 g/l and retention time of 6hrs, 16% (v/v) ethanol was produced. Also for high
initial sugar concentration like 150 g/l a higher retention time is required. The microbial
overgrowth was controlled with carbon dioxide, which is passed through the bed. There was a
maximum 30% increase in the beads diameter at the lower part of column because of the high
glucose concentration in that region which means the immobilized yeast in that region is the
most active. [5]
Yekta G. Ksungur (2000) suggests that in order to study the operational stability of the
immobilized packed-bed bioreactor, the system was run continuously for 25 days at a constant
dilution rate of 0.22 h-1
. Beet molasses medium (pH=3.9) containing 10.90% initial sugar was
used as the production medium and the temperature was maintained at 30oC. CaCl2 solution
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(2%) was passed through the column every 7 days to prevent disruption and maintain the
mechanical structure of Ca-Alginate beads, and air was passed through the column every 2-3
days to remove accumulated CO2. The ethanol concentration was 4.2-4.6% during the 25 days of
operation of the packed-bed bioreactor. At the end of 25 days, 4.43% ethanol concentration and
79.5% theoretical yield were obtained. During the continuous fermentation, the structure of the
Ca-Alginate beads was remaining same. [22]
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2.4 Fluidized Bed Reactor
Fluidized bed reactor (FBR) is a type of reactor device that can be used to carry out a
variety of multiphase chemical reactions. In this type of reactor, a fluid (gas or liquid) is passed
through a granular solid material (usually a catalyst possibly shaped as tiny spheres) at high
enough velocities to suspend the solid and cause it to behave as though it were a fluid. This
process, known as fluidization, imparts many important advantages to the FBR. As a result, the
fluidized bed reactor is now used in many industrial applications. The solid substrate (the
catalytic material upon which chemical species react) material in the fluidized bed reactor is
typically supported by a porous plate, known as a distributor. The fluid is then forced through the
distributor up through the solid material. At lower fluid velocities, the solids remain in place as
the fluid passes through the voids in the material. This is known as a packed bed reactor. As the
fluid velocity is increased, the reactor will reach a stage where the force of the fluid on the solids
is enough to balance the weight of the solid material. This stage is known as incipient
fluidization and occurs at this minimum fluidization velocity. Once this minimum velocity is
surpassed, the contents of the reactor bed begin to expand and swirl around much like an agitated
tank or boiling pot of water. The reactor is now a fluidized bed. Depending on the operating
conditions and properties of solid phase various flow regimes can be observed in this reactor. [6]
a) Support material: Material used should have a high surface area to volume ratio, a rough
surface or high porosity with a slightly high density compared to the fermentation broth.
Porous support such as clay and activated carbon is suitable for biofilm attachment since
SinsuphaChuichulcherm (2003) lists out the design considerations of a fluidized bed
reactor as follows: [20]
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it has a high adsorptive power but its strength is not good enough when to be used in a
fluidized bed reactor. Sand is always reported to be used as it has a rough surface and the
biomass can attach onto the surface but not inside the sand particle. Other physical
characteristics which have to be considered are size, shape, and hardness. It is also have
to consider the cost of the material and its poisons to the microbes. The support material
used in by Sinsupha Chuichulcherm (2003)
is PVC pellets rubbed with sand paper to
increase roughness so that yeast can attach to it. More common material to be used is
yeast immobilized in Ca-Alginate. [20][9]
b) Support particle diameter and the fluidized bed column diameter: The column diameter should
be 30 times larger than average diameter of a support particle to avoid hinder settling velocity
effect. Also it is recommended the height of the column should be around ten times of the
column diameter. However, the surface velocity in the fluidized-bed system needs to achieve
20% to 40% expansion to get a better mix and higher heat and mass transfer rate. [3]
c) Alkalinity and recirculation: due to an increase of a fermentation product, CO2, pH of the
fermentation broth seem to shift to slightly alkaline region. Also, a need of high surface velocity
in the fluidized column, sometimes higher than the dilution rate, makes a recirculation and a
recycle port necessary. The recycle port is a small box where the feed inlet port, the effluent port,
pH probe, are situate and is attached to the fluidized bed column. A recirculation pump can be
used to circulate fermentation broth form the recycle port to and from the column with a flow
rate higher than the dilution rate, 2000 used a recirculation flow rate 50 times higher than the
dilution rate in an anaerobic system to achieve a better yield.[20]
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d) Velocity in fluidization operation: Two velocities which have to be considered are VOM
, a
minimum fluidization velocity and Ut, a terminal fluidization velocity. Minimum fluidization
velocity VOM
can be written as shown in equation (1)
The terminal velocity is proportional to VOM
and void fraction as can be seen in equation (2).
The two equations can be used when the particle’s Reynolds number is higher than 1000
(a turbulent regime). If the velocity used in the operation is lower than the VOM
, the bed would
not expand. On the other hand, when the operating velocity is higher than the Ut, all the support
particles would be carried out of the column with the fermentation broth. Then, the volume flow
rate of the fermentation broth can be determined by multiply the velocities calculated with a
cross-sectional area of the column. Once the volume flow rate known, a suitable recirculation
pump and rotameter can be selected. [20]
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SinsuphaChuichulcherm (2003) used a two phase fluidized bed reactor where the solid
particles which contains yeast is fluidized using the fermentation medium. This is a simple way
of using a fluidized bed reactor. With this setup a high ethanol concentration of
Haiyam Mohammed A. Al-Raheem (2009) constructed the reactor from plexiglass
cylinder of 20 cm diameter and 108 cm height. The reactor is fitted with four sampling points,
which are placed at equal intervals between the bottom and the top part of the reactor. Feed
streams into the reactor are air and glucose solution. The air stream is uniformly bubbled in the
liquid phase via perforated ceramic tube. On the other hand, the feed glucose solution is
distributed through a coarse bed of glass beads placed in the lower section of the reactor. Phase
separation, i.e., solid, liquid, and gas is achieved by fitting the top part of the reactor with a
cylindrical tube of large diameter. As a result, solids settle back into the reactor, while gas
bubbles coalesce and escape through the reactor top opening. The rising liquid phase exits the
reactor through a side part. The feed sugar solution is kept in a storage tank which is fitted with
an immersion heater to maintain constant temperature throughout the experiment. Also, another
immersion heater is positioned in the reactor top opening, to ensure temperature uniformity.
During experiments both heaters are set to the same temperature reading. Fluidization of the
reactor content is achieved by the use of a variable speed pump. [7]
13.2g/l was
produced [20].Haiyam Mohammed A. Al-Raheem (2009) used the concept of a more
complicated three phase fluidized bed reactor. Nitrogen gas was used to fluidize the flocculated
yeast. [7]
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With this setup under normal operating conditions and initial sugar concentration of
100g/L, 16 g/L ethanol concentration was achieved which is much higher than the ethanol
concentration in the two phase fluidized bed reactor. [7]
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CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Immobilization Procedure:
1. 100ml growth medium was prepared. Growth medium composition was 15g/l Glucose;
18g/l (NH4)2SO4; 10g/l (NH4)2HPO4; 5gm/l KH2PO4; 5gm/l MgSO4; 1 g/l yeast
extract. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 4.25 with sulphuric acid and then
sterilized in an autoclave for 15 min at 15 psi pressure.
2. 20 ml of concentrated (0.1g/ml) yeast solution was added.
3. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were allowed to grow for 20 hours to reach their
starting of the exponential phase.
4. Na-Alginate Solution was prepared by dispersing 4g of Na-Alginate in 100ml distilled
water (4% w/v). Na-Alginate is added slowly with continuous stirring until a clear
viscous fluid is formed.
5. The prepared 100ml of the grown medium is added to the 4% w/v Na-alginate solution
slowly with constant stirring.
6. 1000 ml of CaCl2 was prepared by dissolving 20g of CaCl2 in distilled water and make up
to 1000ml.
7. The 200ml aliquot of alginate-cell suspension containing 2% (w/v) Na-Alginate was
added drop wise using a syringe into 2% (w/v) CaCl2 solution. The drops forms as soft
beads.
8. The beads were allowed to harden for 30 min and then were washed with sterile saline
solution (0.85% (w/v) NaCl) to remove excess calcium ions and cells.
9. The beads were stored at 4oC in 0.2% (w/v) yeast extract solution until use.
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3.2 Procedure for Glucose assay by Dinitrosalicylic Colorimetric Method (DNS)
3.2.1 Solutions Preparation (DNS):
1. 1% (w/v) Dinitrosalicylic Acid Reagent Solution (DNS Reagent) is prepared by
dissolving10g of Dinitrosalicylic acid, 2g Phenol, 0.5g Sodium Sulphite and 10g
Sodium Hydroxide in 1l of distilled water.
2. 40 %( w/v) Potassium Sodium Tartrate solution is prepared by dissolving 4g of
Potassium Sodium Tartrate in 10ml of distilled water.
3.2.2Procedure for Standard Plot:
1. Prepare test tubes containing 3ml glucose solution where the concentration varies
from 0.2mg/ml to 1 mg/ml.
2. 3 ml distilled water is taken in an oven dried test tube and kept aside.
3. Add 3ml of DNS reagent into each test tube which contains 3 ml of distilled
water.
4. Heat the mixture at 90oC water bath for about 15 minutes to develop red brown
colour.
5. Add 1ml of 40% (w/v) Potassium Sodium Tartrate solution to stabilize colour.
6. After cooling to room temperature in a cold water bath, record the absorbance
with a spectrophotometer at 575 nm.
7. Plot concentration vs. absorbance.
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3.2.3 Procedure To Determine Unknown Glucose Concentration:
1. Dilute the sample glucose solution ten times.
2. Prepare test tubes containing 3ml sample diluted glucose solution.
3. Add 3ml of DNS reagent into test tube.
4. Heat the mixture at 90oC water bath for about 15 minutes to develop red brown
colour.
5. Add 1ml of 40% (w/v) Potassium Sodium Tartrate solution to stabilize colour.
6. After cooling to room temperature in a cold water bath, record the absorbance with a
spectrophotometer at 575 nm.
7. From the standard plot find the concentration of glucose sample corresponding to the
observed absorbance.
3.3 Procedure for Ethanol assay:
3.3.1 Solutions Preparation:
1. Acid dichromate solution: (0.01 molL-1in 5.0 molL-1sulfuric acid) 125 ml of water
was added to a 500 ml conical flask. Carefully 70 ml of concentrated sulphuric
acid was added with constant swirling. Flasks were cooled under cold water tap
and 0.75 g of potassium dichromate was added. It was then diluted to 250 ml
with distilled water.
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2. Starch indicator solution (1.0% (w/v) solution) - 1.0 g of soluble starch was
dissolved in 100 ml of recently boiled water. The mixture was stirred until
dissolved.
3. Sodium thiosulfate solution (0.03molL-1) - 7.44 g of Na2S2O3.5H2O was added to
a 1L volumetric flask, dissolved in distilled water and diluted up to the mark.
4. Potassium iodide solution: (1.2molL-1) - 5 g of KI was dissolved in 25 ml of
water.
3.3.2 Titration Procedure:
1. Sample is diluted at 1:20 with distilled water.
2. 10 ml of the acid dichromate solution was transferred to a 250 ml conical flask
with rubber stopper.
3. 1 ml of the diluted sample was pipetted into the sample holder. Three samples of
the beverage were prepared as the entire contents of the flask are used in the
titration.
4. The sample holder was suspended over the dichromate solution and held in
place with the rubber stopper.
5. The flask was stored overnight at 25–30°C
6. Next morning the flask was allowed to come to room temperature, then loosened
the stopper and carefully removed and discarded the sample holder.
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7. The walls of the flask were rinsed with distilled water, and then about 100 ml of
distilled water was added along with 1 ml of potassium iodide solution. The
mixture was swirled to mix properly.
8. Blank titrations were prepared by adding 10 ml of acid dichromate solution to a
conical flask, adding 100 ml of water and 1 ml of potassium iodide solution and
swirling to mix.
9. The burette was filled with sodium thiosulfate solution and each flask was
titrated with sodium thiosulfate. When the brown iodine colour faded to yellow,
1 ml of starch solution was added and was further titrated until the blue colour
disappeared. The blank flasks were titrated first, and repeated until concordant
results were obtained. Then each of the samples was titrated. If the three
samples of the beverage do not give concordant results, further samples will
need to be prepared.
3.3.3 Calculations:
1. The average volume of sodium thiosulfate used for the sample from the
concordant sample results was determined.
2. The average volumes of sodium thiosulfate used for the blank titration from the
concordant blank results are determined.
3. The volume of the sodium thiosulfate solution used for the sample titration is
subtracted from the volume used for the blank titration. This volume of the
sodium thiosulfate solution is now used to determine the alcohol concentration.
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4. The number of moles of sodium thiosulfate in this volume was calculated.
5. Using the equations, the relationship between the moles of sodium thiosulfate and the
moles of ethanol were determined. Using this ratio the moles of alcohol in the sample
solution was calculated.
as 1 mol of S2O32- is equivalent to 6 mol of Cr2O7
2-
and 2 mol of Cr2O72-
is equivalent to 3 mol of C2H5OH
then 1 mol of S2O32-
is equivalent to 0.25 mol of C2H5OH
6. In order to account for the dilution factor, the result was multiplied by 20.
3.4 Fermentation Medium Preparation:
The fermentation medium had the following composition.
• 10% (w/v) Glucose
• 0.2% (w/v) Yeast Extract
• 0.1%(w/v) K2HPO4
• 0.07% (w/v) MgSO4.7H2O
• 0.4% (w/v) (NH4)2SO4
•0.1% (w/v) NaCl
(Note: 1% means 1g made up to 100ml)
The pH of the solution was adjusted to 4.5 with sulphuric acid and then sterilized in an autoclave
for 15 min at 15 psi pressure. After which the broth is cooled to room temperature.
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3.5 Batch Reactor Setup:
The batch reactor consists of a 500 ml double necked round bottom flask fitted with
rubber corks. It has three inlets. In the rubber cork covering the second inlet right at the middle a
hole was drilled just enough to let a small glass tube pass by. This acts as the outlet for CO 2. The
glass tube is inserted to about few centimetres into the flask. The top of the glass tube is
connected with a silicon tube which is directly sent into a conical flask containing distilled water.
The round bottomed flask with the help of a clamp is made to stand on top of magnetic stirrer
which is used for agitation. The first inlet is used take out samples at regular intervals. The third
inlet can be used for further studies of batch like continuous temperature control or continuous
pH control.
4% reactor volume size inoculum is prepared using HiVeg Nutrient Broth. 1ml of
concentrated yeast solution is added to every 5ml of inoculum. Concentrated yeast solution is
prepared by dissolving baker’s yeast in minimal amount of water. The inoculum is grown for
24hrs in a shaker before adding into the reactor. At regular intervals samples are taken in test
tubes covered with cotton. Test tubes are stored at 4oC for further analysis.
The reactor is cleaned with ethanol and dried for sterilization purpose. The reactor is then
filled with 500ml fermentation medium. The inoculum is then added to the reactor and instantly
the magnetic stirrer is switched on. Also a sample is taken immediately after the inoculum has
mixed with the fermentation medium. At regular intervals samples are taken in test tubes covered
with cotton. Test tubes are stored at 4oC for further analysis.
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3.6 Procedure to measure dry weight of yeast cells for growth curve:
1. A batch reaction is started with about 250ml medium and inoculum is added into the
reactor. At time t=0 the first sample is taken. Then on every 12hrsthe samples are
collected in a test tube covered with cotton plug and stored at 4oC for further analysis.
2. 5mL of sample was inserted into the pre weighed dry eppendorf tube.
3. Step (1) was repeated for other samples from different time interval.
4. Samples were centrifuged at 7000 rpm for 15 min.
5. The cell pellet was dried using drier for approximately 15 minutes and dry weight of the
sample was calculated in an accurate weighing balance.
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3.7 Immobilized Cell Reactor Setup:
The reactor was constructed with a glass column with total volume of 2L, 5cm diameter
and height of 100 cm. The bottom was fitting with a conical inlet for the feed with a valve. Top
of the reactor was closed air tight with a rubber cork. Hole was drilled in the middle of the cork
through which a glass rod was inserted one side into the reactor and the other side into a beaker
containing distilled water. This side is also used as the outlet when the column gets and filled
completely and the overflow product has to be collected. A mesh cloth was inserted at the base
of the column so that the immobilized particles will not fall down to stop the flow of feed.
Initially for few centimetres the column was packed with glass beads which give good
support to the above Ca-Alginate beads. Later the column was filled with Ca-Alginate beads
immobilized with yeast to about 65% of reactor volume. The average void volume was found out
to be 910 ml. The average packing volume was about 1090 ml. The void volume was found by
passing distilled water.
Feed was fed through the bottom of the reactor. Feed composition was 50 g/l glucose
with 25 g/l Hi Veg Nutrient Broth. 5hrs of retention time was given for the feed to pass through
the reactor. Feed was pumped using a peristaltic pump through the bottom of the reactor. The
reactor was under anaerobic conditions. The outlet was the overflow on top taken out at the top.
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Fig 3.7.1: Experimental Setup for Immobilized Cell Reactor.
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CHAPTER 4: RESULTS
4.1 Introduction:
The results and analysis chapter is divided into 5 different sections. In the first section,
the growth curve of the baker’s yeast is discussed in which the specific growth rates at different
time intervals are determined. The growth curve shows the baker’s yeast activity through which
the experimental planning can be optimized. In the second section the standard curve for glucose
assay is discussed where known concentration of glucose are reacted with DNS reagent and their
Optical Densities (OD) are found. Unknown concentration of glucose can be found using this
standard plot. The third section consists of the batch reactor results. Here the glucose
concentrations determined at different time intervals and the ethanol concentration determined at
the end of the experiment was discussed. In the fourth section the immobilized cell reactor’s
(ICR) results are discussed. A comparative study of batch vs. ICR was also shown. Finally in the
fifth section one sample calculation for finding out the ethanol concentration was shown.
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4.2 Growth Curve of Baker's Yeast:
The growth curve of baker’s yeast gives an idea on the activity of the microorganism through
which the experimental planning can be made. First the inoculum is prepared and agitated for
24hours, then the fermentation media is prepared and the pH is adjusted to about 4.5 using
sulphuric acid or Ammonium hydroxide. The reaction is carried out in the reactor and at regular
intervals samples are collected from the reactor into a pre weighed centrifuge vial. Then the
sample was centrifuged in an eppendorf centrifuge. The liquid layer is discarded and the vial is
dried in an oven at 1050Cand its weight is determined. The difference in weight gives us the dry
weight of the cell.
By referring to figure 4.2.1, the growth pattern of baker’s yeast under anaerobic condition
follows exactly the typical growth curve for batch cell cultivation. The lag phase of the culture is
negligible due to high quantity of inoculum (4%) which was added at the beginning of the
experiment. The exponential phase was about till 3 days. Later it started decelerating and the
growth was close to stationary phase. After 4 days the death phase can be clearly observed, the
reduction in yeast cell concentration. The below table 4.2.1 specifies the growth rate at different
interval of time.
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Table 4.2.1: Yeast cells Growth rate.
Sample No
Time
(hrs)
Time
(days) X (g/L) 1/X dx dt dx/dt
Specific
Growth Rate µ
(day-1
)
1 0 0 0 - - - - -
2 24 1 0.67 1.492537 0 1 0 0
3 36 1.5 3.35 0.298507 2.68 1.5 1.786667 0.533333333
4 48 2 6.73 0.148588 6.06 2 3.03 0.450222883
5 60 2.5 10.92 0.091575 10.25 2.5 4.1 0.375457875
6 72 3 12.73 0.078555 12.06 3 4.02 0.315789474
7 84 3.5 14.18 0.070522 13.51 3.5 3.86 0.272214386
8 96 4 15.53 0.064392 14.86 4 3.715 0.239214424
9 108 4.5 14.27 0.070077 13.6 4.5 3.022222 0.211788523
10 120 5 12.53 0.079808 11.86 5 2.372 0.189305666
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Fig 4.2.1 Dry Cell weight X (g/l) vs. Time (days)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
D r y C e l l W e i g h t X ( g / l )
Time (Days)
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4.3 Standard Plot for Glucose Assay: The standard plot is the most important tool for the
glucose assay. Using this plot the unknown glucose concentration corresponding to the sample
OD value can be found. The procedure for standard plot has been explained in the methodology
chapter. It is a must for the DNS solution to be stored in a dark container and kept out of
sunlight. The plot has been drawn to best fit. The below table 4.3.1 shows the variation of
glucose concentration with OD that were used for the standard plot. The maximum concentration
was 1mg/ml. The best fit equation for the above curve is y=0.91x.
Table 4.3.1 Table for Standard Plot for Glucose Assay
Glucose Concentration (mg/ml) OD
0 0
0.2 0.192
0.4 0.4
0.6 0.522
0.8 0.771
1 0.92
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Figure 4.3.1 Standard Plot for Glucose Assay
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
O D
Glucose Concentration (g/L)
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4.4 Batch Reactor Result:
Glucose Concentration: The initial glucose concentration was 100g/L. The pH of the
fermentation medium was adjusted to 4.5 using sulphuric acid or ammonium hydroxide. The
reaction is carried out at room temperature. The inoculum size is 4% of batch reactor volume.
The components of the batch reactor were agitated using a magnetic stirrer for a proper mixing.
At regular intervals samples are collected in test tubes covered with cotton. Test tubes are stored at 4oC
for further analysis.
The below table 4.4.1 and figure 4.4.1 gives the summary of the glucose concentration of the
batch reactor at different time interval. It is clearly evident that initially the consumption of
glucose was relatively less. After about 1 day, the consumption of glucose started increasing
substantially which corresponds to the growth curve as well. After 3 days the consumption of
glucose decelerated.
After 5 days, the glucose concentration fell to 30.6 g/L. Glucose conversion was 69.4%.The
glucose concentration was analyzed using the DNS method. All the samples were diluted by a
factor of ten for the assay. Later the concentration was multiplied by the dilution factor. The
samples were treated with DNS and kept in a water bath at 90 oC for 15 minutes. It is then cooled
to room temperature and its OD value is measured using a spectrophotometer at 575nm.
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Sample No
Time
(hrs)
Time
(days) Glucose Concentration (g/L)
1 0 0 100
2 24 1 96
3 36 1.5 83
4 48 2 74.3
5 60 2.5 58.7
6 72 3 44.4
7 84 3.5 40.8
8 96 4 37.5
9 108 4.5 35.1
10 120 5 30.6
Table 4.4.1 Batch reactor- Glucose Concentration (g/L) vs. Time (days)
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Figure 4.4.1 Batch Reactor: Plot of Glucose concentration vs. Time
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
G l u c o s e C o n c e n t r a t i o n ( g / L )
Time (days)
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Ethanol Concentration- For the verification of ethanol present the 100 ml sample was taken at
end of fermentation and was centrifuged in an eppendorf centrifuge. The clear liquid was then
distilled, and 10 ml of distillate was collected. This distillate was poured on the floor and lit with
a match stick and it caught fire immediately. This proves the presence of ethanol.
After 5 days the sample was tested for ethanol concentration using the wet method
mentioned earlier. The concentration was found to be 7.7% (v/v). Pramanik K. (2003) achieved a
concentration of about 8.6% for a 500 ml batch reactor after 5 days. The difference could be due
to the difference media composition and the operating conditions.
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4.5Immobilization:
In order to find the most effective immobilization concentration of Na-Alginate and CaCl2
concentration, various concentrations of broth were tried. At around 4% Na-Alginate and 2%
CaCl2 maximum sugar reduction was observed. Change in Na-Alginate concentrations had
considerable effects on sugar conversion whereas CaCl2 did not have much considerable effect
on sugar conversion. The experiment was carried out under batch conditions, to test the beads;
instead of yeast inoculum the immobilized beads were added. The below table 4.5.1 summarized
the results obtained.
It is to be noted that at 1% Na-Alginate no beads were formed. At 6% Na-Alginate it was
extremely viscous therefore difficult to mix with distilled water, moreover the practical
difficultly while making beads.
The below figure 4.5.1 and 4.5.2 show the final glucose concentration after 3 days with the
different percentages of Na-Alginate and CaCl2 used. It is evident that change in Na-Alginate
concentrations had considerable effects on sugar conversion whereas CaCl2 did not have much
effect. At lower concentrations of Na-Alginate the beads were soft and at higher level of Na-
Alginate the beads were hard.
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%Na-Alaginate %CaCl2
Avg Bead
Dia Sugar Concentration at end Of 3days (g/L)
1 2 None None
2 2 1.7mm 46
3 2 2.5mm 42
4 2 2.5mm 36
5 2 2.7mm 45
6 2 3mm 50
%CaCl2
%Na-
Alaginate Sugar Concentration At End Of 3days (g/L)
1 4 2.5mm 36
2 4 2.5mm 34
3 4 2.5mm 36
4 4 2.5mm 38
Table 4.5.1 Final Sugar Concentration after 3 days with respect to different % Na-Alginate
and % CaCl2
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Fig 4.5.1 Final Glucose Concentration vs. %Na-Alginate after 3 days
Fig 4.5.2 Final Glucose Concentration vs. % CaCl2after 3 days
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
F i n a l G l u c o s e C o n c e n t
r a t i o n ( g / L )
% Na-Alginate
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
F i n a l G l u c o s e C o n c e n
t r a t i o n ( g / L )
% CaCl2
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4.6 Immobilized Cell Reactor: The below table 4.6.1 summarizes the initial reactor conditions.
The feed medium was just glucose and HiVeg Nutrient broth dissolved in distilled water.
Reactor Volume 2000ml
Void Volume 910 ml
Packing Volume 1190 ml
Retention Time 5hrs
Initial Glucose Concentration 53 g/l
Table 4.6.1 Initial ICR conditions
After 5hrs retention time the overflow through the top was collected and glucose and ethanol
assay were carried out. The glucose concentration fell to about 25 g/L which means the glucose
conversion was about 52.8%. The results clearly show the advantage of an immobilized cell
reactor over a batch reactor. The below table 4.6.2 summarizes the final concentration obtained
in the reactor after 5hrs of retention time.
Table 4.6.2 Final ICR Conditions
Final Glucose Concentration 25 g/l
Final Ethanol Concentration 12.2% (v/v)
Glucose Conversion 52.80%
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The ethanol concentration at the end was around 12.2% after 5hrs which way more than what
was achieved in the batch reactor after 5days which was around 8%. The results clearly show
that the immobilized bed reactor is much better that that a batch reactor due to both time and
concentration at exit.
Higher conversion and ethanol concentration can be achieved by higher initial sugar
concentration and higher retention time. Also the packing volume can be increased to around
70-75 % for higher conversion.
Some modification could be made in the reactor which would increase the efficiency of the
reactor. Recycling can be incorporated, and also for better spatial analysis samples should be
taken from different points of the reactor. For this the reactor must be improvised with some
changes.
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4.7 Sample Calculation: Below a sample calculation for ethanol concentration is shown:
Calculation of ethanol concentration of the ICR is explained in detail below. After
procedure followed as given in methodology chapter (3.3) the calculations are done as follows.
Blank Titer Value = 20.6 ml
Sample Titer Value = 7.3 ml
Therefore, Volume of Sodium thiosulphate used for alcohol present = 13.3 ml
Concentration of Sodium thiosulphate = 0.03 mol/L
= 3x10-5
mol/ml
Therefore, Moles of Sodium thiosulphate = 13.3 x 3x10-5
= 3.99x10-4 mol
1 mol Sodium thiosulphate 0.25 mol Ethanol
Therefore, Mol of ethanol present = 3.99x10-4
x 0.25
= 9.975x10-5 mol
Multiplying by dilution factor, Actual amount of ethanol present = 9.975x10-5x21
= 2.095x10-3
The sample volume taken is 1ml.
Therefore concentration of ethanol present in sample = 2.095x10-3mol/ml
In terms of mass of ethanol present in sample = 2.095x10 -3x46 (M.Wt. of ethanol = 46)
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= 0.0963 g/ml
In terms of volume of ethanol present in sample = 0.0963/0.789 (Density of ethanol = 0.789
g/ml)
= 0.122 ml/ml
In terms of volume % Ethanol = 12.2 %
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CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION
5.1 Discussion:
It was very much evident that, an immobilized cell reactor packed with Yeast
immobilized Ca-Alginate beads produce higher ethanol concentration at a much higher rate
compared to a batch reactor.
5.2 Future Work:
For the batch reactor, we can try and optimize all the operating conditions. The pH and
temperature keeps changing as the reactions proceeds. A good method to control pH and
temperature can be implemented. Also the fermentation medium composition can be varied and
tested for higher ethanol yield
For the immobilized cell reactor some modification could be made in the reactor which would
increase the efficiency of the reactor. Recycling can be incorporated, and also for better spatial
analysis samples should be taken from different points of the reactor. For this the reactor must be
improvised with some changes.
In terms of other reactors that could be used, as per literature survey, fluidized bed reactor will
produce higher ethanol concentration. A fluidized bed can be fabricated and tested. If the Ca-
Alginate immobilized beads are heavy therefore making the fluidization hard we can go for
alternative immobilizing technique.
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