Continuous acetone-butanol fermentation with high productivity by cell ultrafiltration and recycling

Abstract

To increase the productivity of the acetone-butanol fermentation, a hollow-fiber ultrafilter is used to separate and recycle cells in a continuous fermentation of Clostridium acetobutylicum. Under partial cell recycling and at a dilution rate of 0.5 hr-1, a cellular concentration of 20 g/l and a solvent productivity of 6.5 g/l.hr is maintained for several days at a total solvent concentration of 13 g/l. © 1986 Science and Technology Letters.