Ethanol fermentation in a continuous tower fermentor.

A mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which forms large, multicellular flocs in liquid culture, rapidly fermented media containing high concentrations of glucose (100-180 g/L) in a continuous nonaerated tower fermentor at 30 degrees C. The fermentor operated continuously for seven months. Batch and tower fermentor data were fitted to a kinetic model incorporating linear ethanol inhibition and Monod dependence on glucose. Conversion, ethanol yield, and ethanol productivity were related to the apparent fermentation time for initial glucose concentrations of 130 and 180 g/L. Productivities of 8-12 g ethanol/L h were achieved through the yeast bed giving conversions exceeding 90% of the theoretical yield.