Abstract
Results from experiments and mathematical modeling were compared for pervaporative butanol fermentation. The developed model includes expressions to predict characteristics of butanol fermentation, such as, microbial growth, solvent (butanol, acetone, and ethanol) formation and organic acid (acetate and butyrate) production. Butanol diffusivity was 1.15${\times}$10(sup)-7 ㎡/hr at 1.5 L/min-tubing of air flow rate using a pervaporative module. The model correlated well with experimental results (cell growth, glucose consumption and concentrations of solvents and organic acids) for batch fermentation with and without pervaporation. Larger surface area and thinner module tubing resulted in an increased glucose consumption and a decreased residual butanol concentration. Optimum membrane area and thickness were 0.34 ㎡ and 120 $\mu\textrm{m}$, respectively.
