Underlying factors to consider in improving energy yield from biomass source through yeast use on high-pressure homogenizer (hph)

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2015-03, Vol.81, p.74-83
• Main Authors: Ekpeni, Leonard E.N., Benyounis, K.Y., Nkem-Ekpeni, Fehintola F., Stokes, J., Olabi, A.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adjustable; Biomass; Biomass energy production; Cavitation; Cell disruption; Energy use; Homogenizers; Homogenizing; Homogenizing valves; HPH; Underlying factors; Valves; Yeast
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2014.11.038

Pioneering the works of Brookman (1975), Middelberg et al. (1992a, 1992b) and Kleinig and Middelberg (1996), on cell disruption of yeast through HPH (high pressure homogenizer), the underlying factors in improving energy yield from biomass source has to be considered. This has become a global issue for scientists, researchers and policy makers as the energy demand has grown over the years due to the growing population. As cleaner energy has become highly needed for save environment and protection of the climate hence shifting away from the utilization of fossil fuels will be of higher priority. In this paper, these factors will be highlighted and discussed herein as well as other parameters that influence the energy production efficiency from the high-pressure homogenizer (HPH) through using yeast as a biomass source. The HPH for consideration in this study is the GYB40-10S; this has a pressure of up to 100 MPa with two stage homogenizing valves pressure. This is adjustable so as to produce superfine, homogeneous, stable liquid–liquid or solid–liquid under multiple actions of cavitation effect and high speed impact. And also shear through the adjustable homogenizing pressure valve in the conditions of high pressure and thereby making the material compatible after homogenization. •Effective use of DoE has been studied with the application of BBD (Box-Behnken Design) as response surface design.•GYB40-10S 2-stage homogenizing valves HPH machine with maximum pressure of 100 MPa was used in the experimental performance.•Baker's yeast used as a biomass substrate.•Highest protein concentration of 1.4 mg/mL was obtained at the maximum pressure of 90 MPa considered.•Temperature range of 15–25 °C considered showed no effect on the yielded protein concentration.