ABSTRACT
An operational reactor has been designed for the fermentation of a pure culture of Fibrobacter succinogenes with the constraints of strict anaerobic condition. The process is controlled by measurements of pH, redox, temperature and CO2 pressure; it allows an efficient degradation (67%) of lignocellulosic wastes such as a mixture of wheat straw, soya bean cake and green cabbage.
Subject(s)
Bioreactors , Fibrobacter/physiology , Refuse Disposal/methods , Rumen/microbiology , Animals , Bacteria, Anaerobic/physiology , Cellulose/metabolism , Fermentation , Lignin/metabolism , Plants/metabolismABSTRACT
The determination of k(L) a by a gas balance method coupled with sulphite oxidation is compared for three kinds of processes (stirred tank, bubble column and fixed-bed column reactors) with a gassing-in and with a classical chemical sulphite oxidation method. The mathematical relations required for the determination of the k(L) a value are detailed. In coalescing gas-liquid conditions, the values calculated by the three methods are shown to be comparable. The gas balance method is more rapid than either the steady-state gassing-in or the chemical sulphite reaction rate measurement methods. It is also well adapted for three-phase systems (gas-liquid-solid) in which the non-coalescing effects of sulphite solution are reduced by solid interferences.
