High-rate acetic acid production in a shallow flow bioreactor

Summary The production of acetic acid in a new type of bioreactor was investigated. The bioreactor featured a shallow, horizontal flow of medium under a bacterial film of Acetobacter aceti M7. The volumetric productivity increased with increase in the specific liquid surface area. The maximum productivity was 31.7 g acetic acid·l^-1 per hour for a specific liquid surface area of 10.7 cm^-1 and the exit acetic acid concentration of 57.6 g·l^-1. The productivity was considerably higher than values surveyed in the literature regarding the acetic acid concentration of normal vinegar (about 45 g·l^-1).