Tower fermentation using Zymomonas mobilis for ethanol production

Summary Flocculation was induced in a pure strain of the bacteria Zymomonas mobilis. When fermenting glucose to ethanol, cell densities of up to 40g/l were achieved and sustained in a 0.92 litre tower fermenter with dilution rates of up to 2.3 hr^-1. A maximum productivity of 100g EtOH/l/hr with 98% conversion of the 105g/l glucose feed was achieved. The limitation to performance with increase in throughput arose from incomplete fermentation of the feed glucose, rather than washout of the flocculated bacteria.