• Membrane Journal
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2003

This study was focused on the investigation of filtration characteristics of membrane-coupled fermentor system for dissolved organics recovery from liquid organic sludge. On the filterability of MF over the range of $0.1{\sim}5 {\mu}m,$ the magnitude of total membrane resistance ($R_t$) is ranged as follows in the order; $0.1 {\mu}m>0.2{\mu}m>0.5 >1{\mu}m>2{\mu}m>5{\mu}m$. The cake layer resistance ($R_c$) occupied about 68~88% of total resistance with fermented sludge. Permeation flux decline was mainly attributed to the $R_c$, which was formed by a strong deposition from physico-chemical interactions of solids on membrane surface. Higher suspended solids (SS) concentration of suspension caused lower permeation flux. However, there was not a proportion relation beyond a certain SS concentration. The cross-flow velocity on the membrane surface was faster, which resulted in the higher permeation flux and also more efficient with low trans membrane pressure (TMP) in viewpoint of energy efficiency. The appropriate pH of suspension was over the range of 5.0~6.0 for dissolved organics recovery as well as the permeation flux. It is possible f3r bacteria to be separated perfectly with $0.1{\mu}m\; and \;0.2{\mu}m$ membrane pore size. Based on experimental results, most appropriate membrane pore size for the recovery is believed to around $1{\mu}m$.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.419-427
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• 1991

Ethanol fermentation of glucose by a strain of Saccharomyces cereuisiae was studied in membrane recycle bioreactor, where the fermentation vessel was coupled with cross flow hollow fiber membrane. The cell recycle system controlled backflushing with fresh medium was proven to be effective in alleviating membrane fouling and allowing long term operation of high-cell continuous fermentation. Using 100 g/l initial glucose concentration, the maximum productivity of about 9 5 g/$l \cdot h$ has been achieved at dilution rate 2.5 $h^{-1}$ and bleed stream ratio 0.05 with the corresponding ethanol concentration of 35g/l and glucose conversion of 100%. Increasing the glucose concentration to 200 g/$l \cdot h$ resulted in an increase in ethanol concentration to 48 g/l and productivity to 120 g1l.h. Substrate conversion, however, was only 69%. This productivity was the highest value in the study, and about 38 fold more than that of batch culture and 17 fold more that of single stage continuous culture without cell recycling. No further increase in the productivity was obtained when the glucose concentration was increased reased to 300g/l.