Project Engineer for conceptual design and preliminary cost estimate for a novel solid state fermentor to manufacture active fungal and bacterial culture products. Developed process flow diagram, material and energy balance, general arrangement drawings and preliminary equipment specifications. Obtained equipment pricing and assembled cost estimate and final report to client.
| Unit operations: Solid state fermentation |
| Products: Active fungal and bacterial cultures |
| Company: Novozymes Biologicals, Inc. |
| Location: Salem, Virginia |
This was a small project that I worked on when I was a project engineer at Middough, Inc., working out of their Chicago area office. Although the development of submerged fermentation for products like penicillin was a major breakthrough, some products continue to be made by solid state fermentation. This is generally a labor-intensive process. For this project, we considered adapting the design of a large paddle mixer to serve as a solid state fermentor. The design included a steamed double mechanical seal on the agitator shaft to maintain sterility. It also included a jacket for temperature control, which can be challenging in large solid state fermentors.