Vincent G. Murphy

Evaporative temperature and moisture control in a rocking reactor for solid substrate fermentation

In the solid substrate fermentation of cooked yellow corn grits with Rhizopus oligosporus in a rocking drum fermenter, temperature was controlled by blowing air through the substrate, forcing water evaporation. The rate of evaporation was controlled by the relative humidity of the air, according to the rate of heat generation during fermentation. Moisture content was maintained constant by spraying cold water on the substrate regulated by the water balance equation of the system. Both controls were operated by computer programs. The rocking motion in the reactor allowed even distribution of air and water in the substrate without disturbing the growing mycelia.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study of Autohydrolyzed and Organosolv-Treated Lodgepole Pinewood Using Carbon-13 with Cross Polarization and Magic-Angle Spinning

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study of Autohydrolyzed and Organosolv-Treated Lodgepole Pinewood Using Carbon-13 with Cross Polarization and Magic-Angle Spinning By James F. Haw and Gary E. Maciel* Department of Chemistry, Colorado Stade University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 and James C. Linden and Vincent G. Murphy Department of Agricultural and Chemical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523

Growth Estimation and Modeling of Rhizopus Oligosporus in Solid State Fermentation

A model including cell growth, content variation and total weight loss of dry matter was developed for the solid state fermentation of Rhizopus oligosporus. This model was used to estimate the state. Two different methods, direct integration of equations and a kalman filtering approach, were compared with experimental values. Both kalman filtering and the direct integration method showed reasonable agreement with experimental results. A rotational reactor was invented to give uniformity and controllability for the experimental System. A controlled run was compared with an uncontrolled run. Water evaporation was used to control the temperature of the substrate with compensation of water loss by adding water. Temperature and water content could be controlled simultaneously at desired values. The controlled urn showed better protein enrichment than the uncontrolled run.