Utilization of mathematical models to investigate the bifurcation and chaotic behavior of ethanol fermentors

This paper uses an experimentally verified model to explore the conditions for increasing productivity and yield of the ethanol fermentation process. Detailed bifurcation analysis is carried out to uncover the rich static and dynamic behavior of the fermentor with/without ethanol removal membranes. The emphasis is on producing higher ethanol yield and productivity through unconventional modes of operation. Possible increase of sugar conversion and ethanol productivity using periodic and chaotic operation at high sugar concentrations is investigated for continuous stirred tank fermentors with/without ethanol removal membranes. This study is the prelude to an extensive experimental program to investigate the chaotic behavior of an experimental fermentor with/without ethanol selective membrane leading to scaling up the experimental fermentor to an industrial sized fermentor.