Process Calorimetry on Solid-state Fermentation of Vinegar Wastes in Bioreactor with Air Pressure Pulsation

J. Liu and J. C. Yang

Abstract
Solid-state fermentation (SSF) of vinegar wastes saves environmental resources and to recover valuable material for lignocellulose purposes. The development of solid-state fermentation technology is very important for the production of cellulase and ultimately for utilization of natural cellulose. However, inadequate dissipation of heat generated by biological activities has prevented solid-state fermentation from large-scale applications. The thermal pattern of internal heat generation affects microbiology during the process. The paper deals with the process of a novel SSF bioreactor with air pressure pulsation. We demonstrate the impact of calorimetric approaches to solid-state fermentation in the laboratory, where heat dissipation calls for a thorough understanding. As a model system, cellulase production was carried out by solid-state fermentation using waste from the vinegar industry, as the substrate of Trichoderma Koningii AS3.4262. A comprehensive characterization of a lab-scale solid-state fermentation reactor was performed. In conclusion, air pressure pulsation significantly enhanced water evaporation and heat dissipation. With these tools we estimated caloric coefficients and mass to enthalpy ratios. Process calorimetry provided a reliable way to study the kinetics of solid-state fermentation.

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Keywords
bioreactor, calorimetry, heat dissipation, Mass balance, solid-state fermentation, thermal conductivity