Performance evaluation of fluidized bed reactor operating with immobilized cells for production of ethanol from sugarcane bagasse

Abstract

This project focuses on the study and development of bioethanol obtained from portion hemicellulosic bagasse of sugar cane. The project is special because of the use of fluidized bed reactor operating in batch mode with a capacity of 2,2 liters for the fermentation steps. This type of reactor has advantages to the process and allows the study of the influence from determining parameters to the optimization of fermentation stages. The parameters which are meant to be studied are: pH, flow aeration and feed flow. The Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis yeast will be used in the process. Preliminary experiments will be performed in the fluidized bed reactor in order to determine important parameters such as minimum and maximum fluidization speed, air flow, fluidization flow and quantity of cells. Projects techniques of Taguchis factorial experiment will be used in the development of the tests and statistical models will be analyzed to achieve the optimization phase of the fermentation process. (AU)