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Optimized 1,3-propanediol production from crude glycerol using mixed cultures in batch and continuous reactors

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Abstract

The production of 1,3-propanediol from crude glycerol and mixed anaerobic sludge was investigated in batch experiments and continuous reactors. Using a 23 complete factorial design, the effects of the concentration of glycerol (22–30 g L−1), KH2PO4 (1.50–2.00 g L−1), and vitamin B12 (7–8 mg L−1) were examined in batch reactors. As an evaluated response, the highest 1,3-PD yields occurred for high concentrations of vitamin B12 and low levels of KH2PO4, reaching 0.57 g g−1 glycerol consumed. The variable glycerol concentration was not significant in the studied range. In addition, the condition that provided the best 1,3-PD yield was applied to an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor fed with crude glycerol (26.0 g L−1), which was monitored as the hydraulic retention time (HRT) decreased from 36 to 12 h. The greatest 1,3-PD yield, of 0.31 g g−1 glycerol, was obtained with an HRT of 28 h.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), and São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).

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  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, São Carlos, SP, CEP 13565-905, Brazil

    Aline Gomes de Oliveira Paranhos & Edson Luiz Silva

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  1. Aline Gomes de Oliveira Paranhos
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  2. Edson Luiz Silva
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Correspondence to Edson Luiz Silva.

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Edson Luiz Silva: Scopus ID: 24167115300.

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Paranhos, A.G.d.O., Silva, E.L. Optimized 1,3-propanediol production from crude glycerol using mixed cultures in batch and continuous reactors. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 41, 1807–1816 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-018-2003-3

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