Continuous Fermentation in high flow rate fermenter systems

In commercial batch processes the productivity of product formation is low. But a significant increase of productivity can be achieved in continuous fermentations. By using high flow rate fermenter systems characterized by a relatively long retention time of biomass in comparison with the retention time of the liquid we can realize a high‐performance fermentation. The problem of holding back the biomass within the reactor could be solved by means of membranes being impenetrable to the cells, but permeable to the hydraulic phase. Such a process technology was successfully tested for its applicability in alcoholic and lactic acid fermentations. The maximum productivities obtained on this way were ṗ = 120 g/l. · h for ethanol production and ṗ = 51 g/l. h for lactic acid fermentation, respectively.