A catalytic multistage fixed-bed tower bioreactor in an industrial-scale pilot plant for alcohol production

This article describes the development of an industrial-scale, multistage fixed-bed tower (MFBT) bioreactor using the promoter mineral kissiris for industrial alcohol production using free cells. Specifically, we examined the parameters needed to maintain operational stability from batch to batch for long periods. Pilot plant operations used one- and two-stage fixed-bed, 7000-L bioreactors. Likewise a 100,000-L, multistage fixed-bed tower system containing layered kissiris confirmed the laboratory results. Compared with a continuous stirred tank fermenter (CSTF) with recycle, a 30% reduction of energy demand and 10%-20% of the production costs are obtained. The latter are attributed to the increased ethanol concentration and alcohol productivity. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.