Fermentation method and application of ethanol and selection of fermenter

Introduction

Ethanol (C2H5OH) is an important organic compound, widely used in food, medicine, cosmetics, fuel and other fields. Its production is mainly dependent on the fermentation process, usually by the conversion of sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide under the action of microorganisms. With the development of biotechnology, the choice of fermentation method and fermenter of ethanol has become an important topic in research and industrial production. This paper will discuss the fermentation method of ethanol and its application, and analyze the selection criteria of fermenter.

The fermentation method of ethanol

1. Selection of fermentation raw materials

The fermentation raw materials of ethanol mainly include sugar, starch and cellulose. Depending on the raw material, the fermentation method is also different.

• ** Sugar fermentation ** : Commonly used sugar raw materials include glucose, sucrose and fructose. The advantages of sugar fermentation are fast fermentation speed and high yield, which is suitable for large-scale production. Yeast play a key role in sugar fermentation, especially Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is able to fermentation efficiently at high sugar concentrations.
• ** Starch fermentation ** : Starch needs to be converted into fermentable sugars through the saccharification process, the commonly used enzyme is amylase. The advantage of starch fermentation is a wide range of raw materials, but the process is relatively complex. The saccharification of starch usually needs to be carried out under specific temperature and pH conditions to ensure enzyme activity.
• ** Cellulose fermentation ** : Cellulose fermentation is the use of microorganisms to directly convert cellulose into ethanol, with the advantage of high resource utilization, but the technical difficulty is greater. In recent years, with the development of genetic engineering and enzyme engineering, the efficiency of cellulose fermentation has gradually improved, and it has become an important source of renewable energy.

2. Selection of fermentation microorganisms

The fermentation of ethanol is mainly dependent on yeast, especially Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition, certain bacteria (such as acetic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria) can also participate in the fermentation process. The selection of different microorganisms affects the efficiency of fermentation and the yield of ethanol.

• ** Saccharomyces cerevisiae ** : suitable for fermentation of high sugar concentration, strong alcohol resistance, fast fermentation speed, widely used in the production of alcoholic beverages and industrial ethanol. Saccharomyces cerevisiae can produce rich aroma and flavor substances in the fermentation process, and improve the quality of wine products.
• ** Other microorganisms ** : such as Klebsiella and Clostridium are also efficient ferments under certain conditions, especially in low pH and anaerobic environments. The application of these microorganisms provides more options for ethanol production, especially in the use of waste and non-food feedstocks.

MIKEBIO industrial fermentation system for liquor compound bacteria  

3. Control of fermentation conditions

Factors such as temperature, pH, oxygen concentration and nutrient supply during fermentation will affect ethanol yield and fermentation efficiency.

• ** Temperature ** : The best fermentation temperature of yeast is generally 25-30℃, too high or too low temperature will inhibit the activity of yeast. Temperature control is crucial for fermentation rates and ethanol production.
• **pH ** : The optimal pH value for fermentation is usually between 4.0-5.0, and too acidic or too alkaline environments will affect yeast growth and metabolism. By adjusting pH, yeast activity and ethanol production can be increased.
• ** Oxygen concentration ** : Ethanol fermentation is usually performed under anaerobic conditions, and the presence of oxygen causes the yeast to engage in respiration, reducing ethanol production. Therefore, the concentration of oxygen needs to be strictly controlled during the fermentation process to ensure the anaerobic fermentation of yeast.

Application of ethanol

1. Food industry

In the food industry, ethanol is mainly used for wine and vinegar production. During the brewing process, yeast converts sugar into ethanol and carbon dioxide to form an alcoholic beverage. Vinegar is produced by the further oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid by acetic acid bacteria. Ethanol fermentation not only improves the flavor of food, but also prolongs the shelf life of food.

2. Pharmaceutical industry

Ethanol is widely used as a solvent and disinfectant in the pharmaceutical industry. Its antibacterial properties make it a commonly used disinfectant in hospitals and laboratories. In addition, ethanol is also a synthetic intermediate for many drugs and is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.

3. Cosmetics industry

In the cosmetics industry, ethanol is commonly used as a solvent and preservative. Its volatile and antibacterial properties make it an important ingredient in skin care products and perfumes. The use of ethanol not only improves the stability of the product, but also enhances the use experience.

4. Fuel ethanol

As the demand for renewable energy increases, ethanol is being used more widely as a biofuel. Fuel ethanol, which is usually fermented from crops such as corn and sugar cane, can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The use of fuel ethanol not only helps to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, but also promotes the development of agriculture.

Fermenter selection

Fermenter is the most important equipment in ethanol production, and its selection directly affects the efficiency of fermentation and the quality of products. Choosing the right fermenter needs to consider the following aspects:

1. Type of fermenter

• ** Batch fermenter ** : suitable for small-scale production, simple operation, suitable for laboratory research and small-scale production. Batch fermenter has the advantage of high flexibility, suitable for a variety of raw materials and process tests.
• ** Continuous fermenter ** : suitable for large-scale production, can achieve continuous raw material input and product output, improve production efficiency. The continuous fermenter is designed to maintain stable fermentation conditions and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.
• ** Semi-continuous fermenter ** : Combining the advantages of batch and continuous fermenter, suitable for medium scale production. Semi-continuous fermenters can improve production efficiency to a certain extent, while maintaining flexibility.

2. Material selection

Fermenter materials are usually selected stainless steel or glass, both of which have good corrosion resistance and easy cleaning. Stainless steel tanks are more suitable for mass production, while glass tanks are suitable for laboratory research. The choice of materials directly affects the durability and cleanliness of the fermenter.

3. Control system

Modern fermenters are usually equipped with advanced control systems that can monitor parameters such as temperature, pH, and oxygen concentration in real time and automatically adjust them. This system can improve the stability of the fermentation process and the consistency of the product. Through automatic control, the error of human operation can be reduced and the production efficiency can be improved.

4. Cleaning and maintenance

The cleaning and maintenance of fermenter is an important step to ensure the smooth progress of fermentation process. Choosing designs and materials that are easy to clean can reduce the risk of cross-contamination and increase production efficiency. Regular maintenance and inspection can extend the service life of the fermenter and ensure the continuity of production.

MIKEBIO thriple connected stainless steel fermenter

Conclusion

The method of ethanol fermentation and the choice of fermenter play an important role in ethanol production. The yield and quality of ethanol can be improved by reasonable selection of fermentation materials, microorganisms and fermentation conditions. At the same time, choosing the right fermenter can effectively improve production efficiency and reduce production costs. With the continuous advancement of technology, ethanol fermentation production will be more efficient and sustainable, providing more reliable support for the development of various industries. In the future, with the emphasis on renewable energy, the production and application of ethanol will usher in broader prospects for development.

Therefore, when choosing a bioreactor fermenter, it is necessary to find a regular manufacturer with good reputation and strength, so as to ensure the quality of the product. Jiangsu Mike Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was established in 2008, is a focus on biological fermentation equipment research and development, production and sales of high-tech enterprises. Our company has a pilot fermentation platform, which is integrated with intelligence and automation, and has built a mature fermentation system, which can realize the optimization of pilot fermentation process, commissioning development of all process processes from pilot fermentation production to fermentation product separation and purification, and set up a doctor workstation and a modern laboratory.

Our company has a standardized production plant, with complete sets of equipment and tools required for installation, mainly including a variety of machine tools, automatic argon arc welding machine, automatic polishing machine, automatic cutting machine and flaw detection machine and other more than 60 sets of production and testing equipment, the production process all realize modern standard operation, to provide customers with more professional quality and technical support.