Amrita Ranjan

Mathematical models of ABE fermentation: review and analysis

Among different liquid biofuels that have emerged in the recent past, biobutanol produced via fermentation processes is of special interest due to very similar properties to that of gasoline. For an effective design, scale-up, and optimization of the acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation process, it is necessary to have insight into the micro- and macro-mechanisms of the process. The mathematical models for ABE fermentation are efficient tools for this purpose, which have evolved from simple stoichiometric fermentation equations in the 1980s to the recent sophisticated and elaborate kinetic models based on metabolic pathways. In this article, we have reviewed the literature published in the area of mathematical modeling of the ABE fermentation. We have tried to present an analysis of these models in terms of their potency in describing the overall physiology of the process, design features, mode of operation along with comparison and validation with experimental results. In addition, we have also highlighted important facets of these models such as metabolic pathways, basic kinetics of different metabolites, biomass growth, inhibition modeling and other additional features such as cell retention and immobilized cultures. Our review also covers the mathematical modeling of the downstream processing of ABE fermentation, i.e. recovery and purification of solvents through flash distillation, liquid–liquid extraction, and pervaporation. We believe that this review will be a useful source of information and analysis on mathematical models for ABE fermentation for both the appropriate scientific and engineering communities.

Mechanistic investigations in sono-hybrid techniques for rice straw pretreatment.

This paper reports comparative study of two chemical techniques (viz. dilute acid/alkali treatment) and two physical techniques (viz. hot water bath and autoclaving) coupled with sonication, termed as sono-hybrid techniques, for hydrolysis of rice straw. The efficacy of each sono-hybrid technique was assessed on the basis of total sugar and reducing sugar release. The system of biomass pretreatment is revealed to be mass transfer controlled. Higher sugar release is obtained during dilute acid treatment than dilute alkali treatment. Autoclaving alone was found to increase sugar release marginally as compared to hot water bath. Sonication of the biomass solution after autoclaving and stirring resulted in significant rise of sugar release, which is attributed to strong convection generated during sonication that assists effective transport of sugar molecules. Discrimination between individual contributions of ultrasound and cavitation to mass transfer enhancement reveals that contribution of ultrasound (through micro-streaming) is higher. Micro-turbulence as well as acoustic waves generated by cavitation did not contribute much to enhancing of mass transfer in the system.

Physical and Chemical Mechanisms of Ultrasound in Biofuel Synthesis

Physical and chemical mechanisms ultrasound-assisted processes as related to the synthesis of biofuels are reviewed. Ultrasound and its secondary effect of cavitation have physical and chemical effects on a reaction system, which can contribute to enhancement of the kinetics and yield. In this chapter, a mechanistic insight into the ultrasound assisted biofuels synthesis is given by coupling simulations of cavitation bubble dynamics with experimental data. The physical effect of ultrasound and cavitation is through intense micro-convection in the system that gives marked improvements in the mass transfer of the system. The chemical effect is through generation of highly reactive radicals through transient cavitation that induce or accelerate chemical reactions. Chemical effects include thermal decomposition of the solvent vapor molecules in the cavitation bubble resulting in generation of smaller molecular species that also affect chemistry of the process. Raising the static pressure of the reaction system above ultrasound pressure amplitude in the system helps to discriminate between physical and chemical effects of ultrasound and cavitation. Biofuels systems considered in this chapter are the pretreatment of biomass, biodiesel synthesis with acid/base and homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysts, extraction of microalgal lipids, bioconversion of crude glycerol from biodiesel industry to value added products and desulfurization of the fuel. Among the physical effects of ultrasound and cavitation, micro-streaming by ultrasound has a greater influence on reactions than shock waves generated by cavitation bubbles. In some cases, chemical effects of transient cavitation are revealed to have adverse influence on a reaction. Many biofuels systems are limited by their intrinsic characteristics that restrict the effect of ultrasound and cavitation on the reaction system.

Bioenergy from rice crop residues: role in developing economies

Energy demands of industry, agriculture, transport and domestic sectors of a developing nation are primarily in terms of electricity and transportation fuel. Rice is a major crop in many developing countries. The residues of this crop, viz. rice husk, and rice straw have high potential for bioenergy generation. This review article tries to explore potential of this bio-resource and emphasizes its effective utilization for energy production through techno-economic analysis. The structure, properties, and treatment of rice crop residues have been described. A literature review in production of various biofuels through thermo-chemical and biochemical conversion of rice straw and husk has been presented. Finally, brief literature review on economic analysis of production of liquid and gaseous biofuels from rice crop residues through biochemical and thermo-chemical routes has been presented. This analysis reveals that production of different biofuels from rice crop residues is economically viable. This review emphasizes that bioenergy from rice crop residues provides simultaneous solution to issues of energy security and climate change risk in developing nations.

Ultrasound-assisted bioalcohol synthesis: review and analysis

Sonication (or ultrasound irradiation) has emerged as a potential technique for the intensification of diverse physical/chemical/biological processes. In recent years, sonication has been applied in the synthesis of liquid biofuels, such as biodiesel, and bioalcohols, such as ethanol. The process of bioalcohol synthesis comprises four steps, viz. acid pretreatment, alkaline delignification, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. Significant literature has been published in the last decade on the application of ultrasound for the intensification of all the steps of bioalcohol synthesis. In this paper, a critical review and analysis of the literature on ultrasound-assisted bioalcohol synthesis has been presented. This review has addressed all four steps of bioalcohol synthesis. Essentially, the literature in the areas of ultrasound-assisted biomass pretreatment, delignification and hydrolysis has been reviewed, followed by an analysis of the literature on ultrasound-assisted fermentation. Finally, the mechanistic investigations of the various steps of bioalcohol synthesis have been reviewed, highlighting the synergistic links between the physical/chemical effects of ultrasound and cavitation and the basic physical/chemical mechanisms of the steps of bioalcohol synthesis. The critical analysis of the literature in this review has not only demonstrated the efficacy of ultrasound in the intensification of all the steps of bioalcohol synthesis, but has also brought to light the underlying mechanistic issues; this could provide guidelines for the design and optimization of commercial scale bioalcohol processes.