Abstract
Modelling has recently become a key tool to promote the bioethanol industry and to optimise the fermentation process to be easily integrated into the industrial sector. In this context, this study aims at investigating the applicability of two mathematical models (Andrews and Monod) for molasses fermentation. The kinetics parameters for Monod and Andrews were estimated from experimental data using Matlab and OriginLab software. The models were simulated and compared with another set of experimental data that was not used for parameters’ estimation. The results of modelling showed that μmax = 0.179 1/h and Ks = 11.37 g.L−1 for the Monod model, whereas μmax = 0.508 1/h, Ks = 47.53 g.L−1 and Ki = 181.01 g.L−1 for the Andrews model, which are too close to the values reported in previous studies. The validation of both models showed that the Monod model is more suitable for batch fermentation modelling at a low concentration, where the highest R squared was observed at S0 = 75 g.L−1 with an R squared equal to 0.99956, 0.99954, and 0.99859 for the biomass, substrate, and product concentrations, respectively. In contrast, the Andrews model was more accurate at a high initial substrate concentration and the model data showed a good agreement compared to the experimental data of batch fermentation at S0 = 225 g.L−1, which was reflected in a high R squared with values 0.99795, 0.99903, and 0.99962 for the biomass, substrate, and product concentrations respectively.
Highlights
In the last century, an exponential increase in energy consumption and demand has been noted owing to industrial development, population and economic growth, and modernisation.Researchers have taken this seriously to fulfil future energy demand [1]
The current study aims at developing and validating the Monod and Andrews mathematical models for predicting the dynamics of biomass, substrate, and ethanol for the batch fermentation of molasses using Saccharomyces cerevisiae besides assessing the accuracy of these models when compared with the experimental data different from the experimental data set used for the model development
250 mL of culture media with different initial sugar concentrations, where the dilution rate was calculated in accordance with the chemical composition of molasses reported by Zentou et al (2017) [9]
Summary
An exponential increase in energy consumption and demand has been noted owing to industrial development, population and economic growth, and modernisation. Researchers have taken this seriously to fulfil future energy demand [1]. Wind energy, solar energy, and hydroelectric energy can be alternate sources of sustainable power generation in order to replace conventional fossil fuel and to limit its implications. The new renewable energy resources need to be developed, promoted, and supported for meeting the future needs of energy [6]. Among these renewable energy resources, biofuels such as bioethanol or biodiesel, which are predominantly produced from biomass, are the Biomolecules 2019, 9, 308; doi:10.3390/biom9080308 www.mdpi.com/journal/biomolecules
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