Using Dielectric Constant Measurement to Monitor Ethanol Fermentation and Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Biomass

Jákói, Zoltán Péter and Lemmer, Balázs and Dobozi, Réka and Hodúr, Cecilia and Beszédes, Sándor (2023) Using Dielectric Constant Measurement to Monitor Ethanol Fermentation and Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Lignocellulosic Biomass. FERMENTATION, 9 (10). No-902. ISSN 2311-5637

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Abstract

Our study aimed to investigate the applicability of dielectric measurements across three key stages of plant-based biomass utilization: enzymatic hydrolysis of native and microwave pre-processed corn-cob residues, ethanol fermentation of the hydrolysates, and anaerobic co-digestion with meat-industry wastewater sludge. Our major findings reveal that microwave pre-treatment not only accelerates enzymatic hydrolysis but also improves sugar yield. A strong linear correlation (r = 0.987–0.979; R2 = 0.974–0.978) was observed between the dielectric constant and sugar concentrations, offering a reliable monitoring mechanism. During ethanol fermentation, microwave pre-treated samples resulted in higher yields; however, the overall bioconversion efficiency was lower. Dielectric measurements also exhibited a strong linear correlation (r = 0.989–0.997; R2 = 0.979–0.993) with ethanol concentration. Finally, anaerobic co-digestion could be effectively monitored through the measurement of the dielectric constants (r = 0.981–0.996; R2 = 0.963–0.993), with microwave-treated samples showing higher biogas yields. These results demonstrate that dielectric measurements provide a promising alternative for monitoring and controlling biomass utilization processes.

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