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Mixing phenomena in a large-scale fermenter of starch to bio-ethanol

Author

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  • Zhang, H.L.
  • Baeyens, J.
  • Tan, T.W.

Abstract

China launched an important production of fuel-ethanol by fermentation of non-grain feedstock, with cassava mostly used as starch source. The industrial fermenters have diameters and liquid levels between 6 and 16 m. The mixing of the fermentation broth is important for the efficient operation: this broth is a non-Newtonian suspension with viscosity around 0.3–0.7 Pa s, and a solids concentration of about 25–30 wt%. Mixing is commonly achieved by the combined action of an external recycle flow, and the gas-induced mixing by CO2-bubbles formed during the bio-reaction. To avoid solids sedimentation, flat-bottom fermenters add mechanical impellers. Whereas the effects of impellers and external recycle flow can be tentatively predicted by CFD, the characteristics of the gas bubbles and their mixing action have not yet been fully studied, despite being very important in the design of the fermenters. The research investigates the bubble-induced mixing in a 2-dimensional experimental rig. Experimental results are used to define the dominant parameters of a model approach to bubble-induced mixing. The liquid mixing data can moreover be used to validate complex CFD approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, H.L. & Baeyens, J. & Tan, T.W., 2012. "Mixing phenomena in a large-scale fermenter of starch to bio-ethanol," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 380-391.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:48:y:2012:i:1:p:380-391
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.05.015
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    Cited by:

    1. Duarte, M. Salomé & Sinisgalli, Erika & Cavaleiro, Ana J. & Bertin, Lorenzo & Alves, M. Madalena & Pereira, M. Alcina, 2021. "Intensification of methane production from waste frying oil in a biogas-lift bioreactor," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 1141-1148.
    2. Yang, Bing-Yuan & Cheng, Ming-Hsun & Ko, Chun-Han & Wang, Ya-Nan & Chen, Wen-Hua & Hwang, Wen-Song & Yang, Yuan-Po & Chen, Hsin-Tai & Chang, Fang-Chih, 2014. "Potential bioethanol production from Taiwanese chenopods (Chenopodium formosanum)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 59-65.
    3. Ameur, Houari & Bouzit, Mohamed, 2013. "Power consumption for stirring shear thinning fluids by two-blade impeller," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 326-332.
    4. Ameur, Houari, 2015. "Energy efficiency of different impellers in stirred tank reactors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P2), pages 1980-1988.
    5. Gen, Qian & Wang, Qi & Chi, Zhen-Ming, 2014. "Direct conversion of cassava starch into single cell oil by co-cultures of the oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides and immobilized amylases-producing yeast Saccharomycopsis fibuligera," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 522-526.
    6. Harman-Ware, Anne E. & Morgan, Tonya & Wilson, Michael & Crocker, Mark & Zhang, Jun & Liu, Kunlei & Stork, Jozsef & Debolt, Seth, 2013. "Microalgae as a renewable fuel source: Fast pyrolysis of Scenedesmus sp," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 625-632.
    7. Smichi, Neila & Messaoudi, Yosra & Ksouri, Riadh & Abdelly, Chedly & Gargouri, Mohamed, 2014. "Pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification of new phytoresource for bioethanol production from halophyte species," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 544-549.
    8. Qian Kang & Tianwei Tan, 2016. "Exergy and CO 2 Analyses as Key Tools for the Evaluation of Bio-Ethanol Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-11, January.
    9. Markovska, Natasa & Duić, Neven & Mathiesen, Brian Vad & Guzović, Zvonimir & Piacentino, Antonio & Schlör, Holger & Lund, Henrik, 2016. "Addressing the main challenges of energy security in the twenty-first century – Contributions of the conferences on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P3), pages 1504-1512.
    10. Lam, Man Kee & Yusoff, Mohammad Iqram & Uemura, Yoshimitsu & Lim, Jun Wei & Khoo, Choon Gek & Lee, Keat Teong & Ong, Hwai Chyuan, 2017. "Cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris using nutrients source from domestic wastewater for biodiesel production: Growth condition and kinetic studies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 197-207.
    11. Wang, Meng & Nie, Kaili & Yun, Feng & Cao, Hao & Deng, Li & Wang, Fang & Tan, Tianwei, 2015. "Biodiesel with low temperature properties: Enzymatic synthesis of fusel alcohol fatty acid ester in a solvent free system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 1020-1025.

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