High Solid State Fermentation System for Department of Process Engineering at Stellenbosh University ,South Africa

Project Overview

The system was suitable for using a range of lignocellulostic biomass like sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw, brewers spent grain, rice husk, sorghum husk, spent coffee,  and marine algae using fungi, yeast and bacteria.

The reactor is a horizontal SS reactor with interchangeable impellers or ribbon mixer suitable for mixing high solid, low moisture containing raw materials.

PID temperature control (5 ⁰  C to 60⁰ C ) using electrical heaters, steam perfusion and circulation of liquid in  jacket was possible. Systems for monitoring, controlling and data logging of temperature, relative humidity and air flow were integral part of the system. Filters were used for the sterilization of the air and at the outlet. The system was in-situ sterilizable.