Improved Fermentation Through Removal of Acetic Groups for the Increased Production of Ethanol

Mentor: Ulrike TschirnerAcetic groups have been known to reduce the production of ethanol during fermentation. Various chemical treatments were conducted on an artificial fermentation liquor in an attempt to reduce the amount of acetic groups in the solution. These treatments included calcium hydroxide and zeolites (aluminum and silicon structures). It was found that a zeolite with a silicon to aluminum ratio of 140 removed the most acetic groups (12.52%) and a zeolite with a silicon to aluminum ratio of 29 removed less (11.33%). However, the zeolite with the silicon to aluminum ratio of 29 managed to have a higher conversion of dextrose to ethanol than the zeolite with a silicon to aluminum ratio of 140