Modeling of a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process for ethanol production from lignocellulosic wastes by kluyveromyces marxianus

This paper presents the modeling of the main dynamics of a Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF) process using lignocellulosic wastes as substrate. SSF experiments were carried out using the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus as the inoculum and oil palm wastes as the substrate, in order to obtain glucose and ethanol concentration data. The experimental data were used for the parameter identification and model validation. The resulting model predictsthe dynamic behavior of glucose and ethanol concentrations very closely. Performing a sensitivity analysis, parameters which have a higher effect in the modelpredictions are recognized, so the model can be re-optimized in particular cases with low computational requirements. The re-optimization strategy improves the model capacity to predict the dynamics of the SSF process.