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Design of a lamella settler for biomass recycling in continuous ethanol fermentation process
Author(s) -
Tabera J.,
Iznaola M. A.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260331011
Subject(s) - sedimentation , settling , biomass (ecology) , fermentation , residence time (fluid dynamics) , pulp and paper industry , environmental science , volume (thermodynamics) , waste management , dilution , lamella (surface anatomy) , process engineering , chemistry , environmental engineering , materials science , biology , ecology , engineering , food science , paleontology , physics , geotechnical engineering , quantum mechanics , sediment , composite material , thermodynamics
The design and application of a settler to a continuous fermentation process with yeast recycle were studied. The compact lamella‐type settler was chosen to avoid large volumes associated with conventional settling tanks. A rationale of the design method is covered. The sedimentation area was determined by classical batch settling rate tests and sedimentation capacity calculation. Limitations on the residence time of the microorganisms in the settler, rather than sludge thickening considerations, was the approach employed for volume calculation. Fermentation rate tests with yeast after different sedimentation periods were carried out to define a suitable residence time. Continuous cell recycle fermentation runs, performed with the old and new sedimentation devices, show that lamella settler improves biomass recycling efficiency, being the process able to operate at higher sugar concentrations and faster dilution rates.