Problem 1

In a particular continuous fermentation system, fermenter volume is 30 m3 and flow residence time is 18
h. 3% inoculum containing 1.5 % of yeast cells is passed into the fermenter, with a steady doubling time
of 3.3 h. The broth that exits the fermenter is passed into a continuous centrifuge. The centrifuge then
produces a yeast cream that contains 6% of yeast and 96% of the total yeast in the broth. Determine the
flow rate of both the yeast cream and the broth.
Problem 2
If the final cell concentration is 50 g/L and the volume of a fermentation medium is 750 L, calculate the
amount of (NH4)2SO4 consumed. Assume that the only source of nitrogen is (NH4)2SO4 and that the
cells contain 11 wt. % N.
Problem 3
A 500, 000 gallon fermenter is filled up to 85% with a suspension of mashed yeast in water. A final mixture
of carbon dioxide dissolved in a slurry with 6.8 wt. % ethanol, 6.6 wt. % soluble and suspended solids, and
balanced water is pumped into a flash evaporator. The ethanol product is separated from the mixture and
CO is evaporated.
a. Determine the quantity of ethanol produced per batch and quantity of water.
b. Calculate the standard heat of maltose conversion reaction.
Additional Data:
One bushel (56 lb ) of corn yields 20 gallons of mash fed to the fermentor, which in turn yields 2.4 gallons
of ethanol. The specic gravity of the fermentation reaction mixture is approximately constant at 1.05.
The average heat capacity of the mixture is 0.95 Btu/(lb F). The standard heat of combustion of maltose
to form CO (g) and H O(l) is 5649 1 kJ/mol.

Solutions
Problem 1:
Flow rate through the fermenter:

30
18

= 1.667 m3 h-1

Assumption: broth density = 1000 kg m-3

Mass flow rate of broth: 1.667 x 1000 = 1667 kg h-1
Yeast concentration in the liquid flowing to the fermenter:
=

1.5/100
100/3

= 4.5 x 10-4 kg kg-1.

In 3.3 h, 1kg become 1 x 2n
In 18 h:

18
3.3

= 5.5

Yeast in broth leaving: 1 x 25.5 = 45.3 x 4.5 x 10-4 kg kg-1

Yeast leaving fermenter = initial concentration x growth x flow rate
= 4.5 x 10-4 x 45.3 x 1667
= 34 kg h-1
Yeast-free broth flow leaving fermenter = (1667 34) = 1633 kg h-1
Yeast rich stream: 34 0.96

100
6

= 544 kg h-1

Broth stream: 1667 544 = 1123 kg h-1

Which contains: 34 x 0.04 = 1.36 kg h-1 yeast
Yeast concentration in broth =

1.36
=
1123

0.12%

Problem 2:
Basis: 750L solution containing 50 g/L
750 50

1 1 (NH4)2SO4 132 (NH4)2SO4

0.11

14
1
1 (NH4)2SO4

= 38, 892.86 g (NH4)2SO4

Problem 3:
a.
Fermenter capacity: 500,000 gal
Solution volume: 500, 000 x 0.85 = 425, 000 gal
Final reaction mixture: 0.068 lb ethanol
0.066 yeast, other species
0.866 water
Mass of tank contents: 425, 000

1 3
7.4805

65.52
1 3

= 3722478.44

0.068

Mass of ethanol: 3722478.44 = 253128.53

1
253128.53
= 5490.86
46.1
253128.53
Water: 425, 000

1 3
7.4805

= 38122.17
49.67
1 3

38122.17 20
2.4

= 107315.25 gal

b.
C12H22011 (s) + 12O2 (g) + 11H2O (l) Hi = 5649.1 kJ/mol
Hi = 12Hf(CO2) + 11Hf(H2O) Hf(C12H22011)
Hf(C12H22011) = -2217.14 kJ/mol
C12H22011 (s) + H2O (l)

4C2H50H (l) + 4CO2 (g)

Hf = 4Hf(C2H50H) + 4 Hf(CO2) - Hf(C12H22011) - Hf(H2O) = 184.5 kJ/mol

= -1815 kJ/mol (453.6 mol/ 1 lb mol)(0.95Btu/1kJ) = 782119.8 Btu/lb mol