2.6. Fermentation tests at industrial scale
After the results obtained at laboratory scale were reproduced
at the pilot plant and the necessary parameters were defined, the
process was scaled-up again, being transferred to an industrial
plant with a production capacity of 10 m3 ethanol per day. This
plant consists of eight 20 m3 fermentation tanks, a system for biomass
recovery that includes one biomass centrifuge and an agitated
tank for biomass acid treatment and a distillation device
composed of four columns (depurator, exhauster, concentrator
and rectifier) that work at atmospheric pressure.