16th Dec 2024

Fuel Ethanol Fermentation Analysis by HPLC

Ethanol production has gained significant popularity globally as consumers seek alternative fuel options. Experts can produce ethanol by converting corn and other renewable resources through the fermentation process. During fermentation, yeast and enzymes transform carbohydrates into ethanol. The concentration of ethanol is inversely related to the carbohydrate concentration, meaning that carbohydrate levels can be regularly monitored to determine the optimal time to halt the fermentation process.

The Importance of a Fast Analysis

As mentioned earlier, biofuel producers can use carbohydrate concentration to inversely determine ethanol levels during fermentation. However, standard carbohydrate analysis using HPLC columns can take up to 20 minutes or more per result. While these analyses are essential for determining the completion of the fermentation process, the lengthy wait time can cause significant delays in the lab. One biofuel producer faced this challenge and needed a more efficient solution. In response, Chrom Tech facilitated a collaboration with Concise Separations to develop an improved HPLC column. By working closely with the customer to refine the column, we were able to reduce the run time to approximately one-third of the original duration.

Lengthen the Lifetime of Your Column

By doing basic sample preparation, you can significantly lengthen the life of your HPLC column. Generally, a nylon HPLC syringe filter is a good option for reducing particles in this type of analysis. Another way to extend the lifetime of your analytical column would be to use a guard column. We offer guard columns in the same phases as nearly all of our HPLC columns.

Conclusion

It is important for biofuel producers to maximize the amount of ethanol produced. To do this, the fermentation process can be analyzed. A short run time for this analysis is extremely beneficial to optimize the number of samples run and ensure the fermentation process stops at exactly the right time. For more information, please reach out to our technical support team.