Energy and protein production from pulp mill wastes. Progress report, June 15, 1978--September 15, 1978
Year: 1978
Type: report
Abstract: During the past quarter significant progress was achieved in increasing yeast protein production from ozonated desugared spent sulfite liquor (OSSL). In addition, the prime factors influencing the rate of methanogenesis of OSSL were studied in depth with two factors appearing to be dominate. Continuous fermentation experiments made to corobborate earlier batch studies achieved yields of 5.0 g/1 of yeast cells at a residence time of 1.8 days. Improved strain selection and increased aeration rate were responsible for the approximate doubling of prior productivities. All experiments were conducted on DSSL which had been ozonated with 0.8 g/1. This value appears to be close to optimum. The most important parameters influencing the rate of methanogenesis in continuous fermentation appear to be the microflora, sufficient trace growth factors, and adequate precursor concentrations. Although efforts to date at independently varying these three parameters have been unsuccessful, outstanding results have been obtained when the three were varied concurrently. Methane rates which averaged 8 cc/hr were increased to over 100 cc/hr in several exploratory experiments. A concerned effort will be expended during the next quarter to identify the exact parameter responsible for the order of magnitude increase in productivity.
DOI: 10.2172/6565902
Authors: M.F. Jurgensen, J.T. Patton
Institution: Michigan Technological University
Language: English
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1521828295