CHE 112 Project 2

Page 1: Overview of Project

Project Title: CHE 112 Project 2025Goals:

• Production of Fish Feed from Wood Waste: Develop an eco-friendly method for recycling wood waste into sustainable fish feed.

• Transforming Wood Waste to High-Value Products in Aquaculture: Explore innovative pathways to convert discarded materials into valuable resources for aquaculture, enhancing environmental sustainability and economic viability.

Process Overview:

• Wood Waste: Source may include sawmill residue, lumber scraps, and other lignocellulosic waste.

• Cellulose: Derived from the wood waste through pre-treatment processes that break down the lignin and hemicellulose.

• Glucose: Produced via enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose, setting the stage for fermentation.

• Yeast: Utilize specific strains that convert glucose into high-protein biomass through fermentation, forming the basis of fish feed.

• Protein for Fish Feed: Final product contributes essential nutrients for aquaculture, promoting healthy fish growth and potentially reducing the reliance on fishmeal.

Timeline / Events:

• Recitation on Friday: Discussion of project goals and roles.

• Possible Work on Saturday or Sunday: Hands-on experimentation and data collection may occur over the weekend.

Page 2: Filtration Focus

Filtration Objective:

• Efficiently filter solid yeast particles from a water-based slurry to yield clear filtrate for downstream processing.

Filtration Process:

• Continuous Pressure Filtration: A technique that maintains steady pressure, enhancing yeast recovery.

• Schematic Includes:

  • Yeast/water slurry flowing through a filter, facilitated by a pumping mechanism.

  • Formation of filter cake containing yeast on the membrane, which may slow down filtration over time.

Resistance Factors:

• Resistors in the system include:

  • Filter Cake Resistance: Resistance caused by yeast accumulation on the filter surface.

  • Filter or Membrane Resistance: Intrinsic resistance properties of the filtering material that affect overall processing efficiency.

Mathematical Framework:

• Follow Darcy's Law to describe the flow of liquid through porous media, as it applies to filtration rates.

• Integrated Expression: A mathematical representation that relates the volume of filtrate processed over time; includes slope (m) and intercept (b) in the linear flow equation.

Page 3: Membrane Performance Comparison

Expected Outcomes:

• Compare Two Different Membranes for Yeast Production: Assess performance metrics to identify the superior filtration medium.

• Data Collection: Record time taken to collect a specific volume of filtrate for each membrane type tested.

Tasks:

• Fit Data to the Filtration Equation: Analyze collected data to demonstrate relationships between variables quantitatively.

• Derive Values for Filter Medium Resistance (α) and Specific Cake Resistance (Rm): Utilize the fitted data to evaluate resistance properties of membranes.

• Visual: Create plots that include fitted lines with proper labels, showcasing the comparative analysis.

Part 2 Calculations:

• Plot Relationship: Create graphs illustrating the correlation between time (hours) and total filtrate volume collected.

• Calculate Processing Time for 0.15 Cubic Meters of Filtrate: Determine operational efficiency by assessing time required for this specific volume.

• Determine Mass of Yeast Accumulated: Critical for evaluating overall yield and economic feasibility.

Part 3 Adjustments:

• Modify Rm by a Factor of 10 and Compare Processing Times: Investigate impacts of changing filter cake resistance on operational metrics.

Page 4: Practical Economic Considerations

Yeast Production Economics:

• Valuation: Yeast currently priced at $200/ton, representing a significant opportunity for profit within aquaculture markets.

Analysis:

• Calculate potential savings per membrane based on specific performance metrics such as filtration rate and operational longevity.

• Establish clear criteria for membrane selection, considering performance, cost, and compatibility with the biomass.

Important Calculations:

• Show all unit conversions and provide complete hand calculations for essential metrics such as:

  • Filter Medium Resistance (α): Calculated through empirical data analysis.

  • Specific Cake Resistance (Rm): Evaluated through filtration performance tests.

  • Time to Process 0.15 Cubic Meters of Filtrate: Key for operational planning and efficiency.

  • Yeast Mass Calculations for One Year: Estimation of output to assess financial viability and production scale.

• Evaluate Additional Parameters for Membrane Optimization: Analyze other factors influencing membrane performance, such as temperature and feed composition.