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Step 3: Fermentation
Inoculum and whey medium is added to the fermentation tank. The fermentation tank is maintained under the
following conditions, which give an optimum yield:
● Temperature: 37°C
● pH: 6.5
Anaerobic Fermentation takes place, which is homolactic in nature (we follow path a. in the comprehensive
biochemical reaction figure) The following reactions take place in the fermentation tank:

Chemical Reactions
Pyruvate​−​ production from neutral glucose that generates H​+​:

C​6​H​12​O​6​ + 2 NAD​+​ + 2 ADP​3− → 2 CH3COCO​2​-- + 2 H​+ + 2 NADH + 2 ATP​4− +

+ 2HPO​4​2-- 2H​2​O

Subsequent lactate​−​ production absorbs these protons:

2 CH​3​COCO​2​--​ + 2H​+ ​ + 2NADH → 2 CH3CH(OH)CO​2​--​ + 2 NAD​+

Overall:

C​6​H​12​O​6 + 2 NAD​+ + 2 ADP​3− + → 2 CH3COCO​2​-- ​+ 2 H​+ + 2 NADH + 2 ATP​4− +

​
2HPO4 2-- 2H​2​O

→ 2 CH3CH(OH)CO​2​-- + 2 NAD​+ + 2 ATP​4− +

2H​2​O

Although  the  reaction  glucose  →  2  lactate​− + 2 H​+ releases two H​+ when viewed on its own, the H​+ are
absorbed in the production of ATP. On the other hand, the absorbed acidity is released during subsequent
hydrolysis of ATP: ATP​4−​ + H​2​O → ADP​3−​ + HPO4 2-​​ + H​+​.

So once the use of ATP is included, the overall reaction is

C​6​H​12​O​6 → 2 CH3COCO−2 + 2 H​+

The generation of CO​2​ during respiration also​ ​causes an increase in H+

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​Comprehensive Biochemical Reaction

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Part B: ​Downstream Processing- Continuous process

The lactic acid (approximately 95% w/w) obtained from the fermentation tank is purified and concentrated
using membrane separation and electrodialysis. The final lactic acid obtained is approximately 98% (w/w) and
is sent directly for packaging.
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PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM

Figure 1 : Process flow diagram for fermentation and subsequent purification of lactic acid
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MATERIAL BALANCE CALCULATIONS

We know that the final amount of lactic acid that we have is ​25 tonnes ​(per batch).

We know, during fermentation, ​33.73 g of lactic acid​ is obtained from ​1L of fermentation broth​.

Therefore, for obtaining 25 tonnes of lactic acid,

we need volume of fermentation broth = L = 744.8 kL = ​744.8 m​3

And, weight of whey permeate = 744.8 m​3​ ｘ1100 kg/m​3​ = ​819.28 tonnes

STORAGE TANK CALCULATIONS

1. For storage of whey permeate

All calculations are made with ​h/d = 1.5.

We know, volume of whey to be stored = 744.8 m​3

So, volume of storage tank of whey = 744.8 m​3

Therefore, m​3

Or, m​3

Hence, d = 8.58 m ≈ ​9 m ​(rounding off to a higher number for safety reasons)

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And, h = ​13.5 m

a. Thickness of walls

For this, we need to find the maximum pressure, i.e. the pressure at the bottom of the storage tank.

Therefore, P = ​145628.75 Pa

Now, from the known formula, thickness t is given as:

where,
P - maximum pressure in tank
d - internal diameter of tank
σ - yield stress of construction material
J - joint efficiency

P and d are known in our case. ​J is usually taken as ​85%​. And taking the construction material as SAE 304
stainless steel, ​σ = 205 MPa

Hence, putting the values in the expression for thickness, we get ​t = 4.89 mm
For compliance with safety norms we need to take 30% extra thickness. Therefore, new thickness = 4.89 + 0.30
* 4.89 = ​6.36 mm

Rounding the thickness of the plate to a standard thickness of steel sheet, we have our final thickness,​ t = 7 mm.

b. Thickness of circular flat base

For the thickness of flat base of storage tank, we have the formula: t =

where,