Abstract
Ethanol biofiltration was studied in a 0.165 l packed bed reactor filled with sugar cane bagasse complemented with mineral medium and inoculated with Candida utilis. The main objective was to improve the elimination capacity of the system by adding salts to the solid medium. The biofilter was operated for one month, varying both the inlet ethanol concentration (7.6-16.5 g m−3) and the airflow rate (1.61-2.50×10−3 m3 h−1). Removal efficiency (RE) of 100% was attained at ethanol loads ranging from 74.2 to 250 g h−1 m−3. When the RE decreased, acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate appeared in the outlet stream; adding mineral salts restored a 100% RE. Both ammonium sulfate and ammonia were assimilated by the yeast (conversion yield of nitrogen from the N-source to biomass of 75%), but only ammonia restored the pH of the medium to a value adequate for efficient biofiltration (7.7). Fifty seven percent of the carbon from ethanol was converted into CO2, and 8.7% into biomass. Final yeast population was 7×109 cells g−1 dry matter, corresponding to 56 mg protein g−1 dry matter, which offers potential to also use the protein enriched bagasse as feed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
