Modeling of glycerol production by fermentation in different reactor states

A kinetic model of glycerol production by fermentation with the osmophilic yeast Candida krusei was studied firstly by analogies to published works. Considering that the glycerol produced competes with glucose, as a second carbon source for energy maintenance, mathematical models of glucose utilization and glycerol accumulation were modified further. By adjusting only two variable macrokinetic parameters, K_S and β, the model simulations could fit experimental data well when the reactor was changed from Airlift Loop Reactor in different scale or airlift mode to Stirred Vessel. To avoid a significant reduction in glycerol production in the latter fermentation stage, the final condition of the fermentation, determined by the concentration ratio of glycerol to glucose, was also investigated in four different Reactor States. The kinetic models and simulation results can provide certain reference for scale up of glycerol production by fermentation.