Novozymes has launched "Fermax", a new enzyme protease "Fermax" that prevents foam development during the sugarcane ethanol fermentation process, while delivering improved process control and chemical replacement.
Denmark-headed industrial enzyme and microorganism producer Novozymes has launched a new enzyme protease “Fermax” that prevents foam development during the sugarcane ethanol fermentation process, while delivering improved control and chemical replacement. According to the company, trialling partners have also experienced a cost reduction of up to 20 percent for an average plant size when using Fermax, as compared with use of chemicals.
– This is the first ever biological solution that prevents foam development during the fermentation process, which is a critical issue for producers. With Fermax, sugarcane ethanol producers can use sustainable enzyme technology to lower their costs, reduce the need for harsh chemicals, and increase the amount of ethanol they can produce in their fermentation tanks said Daniel Cardinali, Novozymes’ Head of Sugarcane Platform and Biorefining for Latin America in a statement.
Foam develops during the fermentation process as the yeast produces ethanol and carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 creates foam, which can cause overflow of the fermentation tank and lead to production losses. Excessive foaming also forces plants to increase fermentation time and operate at lower capacity.
Dispersant and anti-foam chemical reduction
Ethanol producers typically use a combination of anti-foam and dispersant chemicals to reduce the formation of foam, but their performance varies according to process and feedstock conditions. Unlike traditional anti-foam products, Fermax does not remove the foam, but prevents it from forming in the first place. The enzyme changes the foam structure by breaking down the stabilising proteins to make it lighter and less dense enabling better fermentation control, which allows producers to operate their plants more efficiently.
According to Novozymes its new enzyme can completely replace, or work in combination with, traditional dispersant chemicals to boost their activity. It can also save up to 70 percent of anti-foam chemicals.
– Sugarcane ethanol producers have traditionally not used enzymes. This enzyme is a very cost-efficient solution, competitive with harsh chemicals, but without all their hidden costs, including supply issues, yeast damage, and incrustation, explained Cardinali, adding that it is easily applied across a variety of plant configurations, i.e. continuous/batch fermentation and continuous/batch yeast treatment.
