MATHEMATICAL-MODEL OF SELF-CYCLING FERMENTATION

This article presents a mathematical model for biomass, limiting subst rate, and dissolved oxygen concentrations during stable operation of s elf-cycling fermentation (SCF). Laboratory experiments using the bacte rium Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1 and ethanol as the limiting sub strate were performed to validate the model. A computer simulation dev eloped from the model successfully matched experimental SCF intracycle trends and end-of-cycle results and, most importantly, settled into a n unimposed periodicity characteristic of stable SCF operation. (C) 19 95 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.