The Efficient Use of Water in Single Cell Protein Production

Abstract

The techno-economic criteria for the production of Single Cell Protein are similar to those that affect other fermentation products. Firstly, it is important to ensure efficient conversion of the feedstock to the product. Secondly, it is increasingly important to reduce the energy consumption of the production process and thirdly, it is desirable to use water efficiently. The efficient use of water has received little attention in the literature but is particularly important in arid areas where water supply is a critical factor in the practical and economic operation of plant and this paper attempts to make up for the deficit.

Fermentation processes are generally carried out in a dilute aqueous medium. Downstream processing of the medium to render a stable product leaves behind large quantities of water containing organic and inorganic materials. The treatment and disposal of this water as an effluent and the supply of similar quantities of fresh water can be expensive in terms of installed plant and operating costs. The potential for the development of fermentation processes which allow for the recycle of much of the water in the fermenter medium has been fully realised in ICI’s Single Cell Protein process. This paper describes some of the biochemical problems of recycling fermenter medium in relation to overall plant economics.

Copyright C 1984 John Brown Engineers & Constructors Limited.