Predictive Modelling of a Bioreactor for the Production of Ethanol Using Palmwine

Abstract

This research focuses on the feasibility of biochemical technology with yeast cells (Sacccharomycees cerevisiae) for continuous ethanol production from palm wine. This was carried out in a non-isothermal batch reactor at constant room temperature. 1.5L of palm wine solution was reacted with dry active baker’s yeast until reaction was completed. Biomass, ethanol and glucose concentration were sampled every two hours, and kinetic rate parameters for the fermentation calculated using concentration/time data. Model equations were developed to predict the actual amount that can be gotten from the bioreactor. Model result yields a value of 7.46g/dm3 which gives a deviation of -3.66%. The simulated results show that the model and the experimental results are in agreement can be scaled-up for continuous production of ethanol. Hence the model can be scaled up for continuous production of ethanol. Keywords: Predictive model, Modelling of Bioreactor, Production of Ethanol using palmwine, feasibility of biochemical technology, Palmwine, Bioreactor, Modelling.