Diseño y construcción de un Bioreactor para la obtención de una bebida energizante del suero de la leche

Abstract

A design and construction of a bioreactor for obtaining an energy drink made from whey as to take advantage of this sub product comi ng from cheese elaboration. The idea is to use whey which is considered to be an environment pollutant. The design and construction of the bioreactor was centered on some engineering calculations based on experimental tests. The chosen material was stainle ss steel because it is the most appropriate for food processing for its safety and high quality requirements. The bioreactor has two parts: one mixing pot and a disk centrifuge. The mixing pot capacity is 50 liters with a safety factor of 15 %. The disk ce ntrifuge was designed to treat 170 liters/hour of whey. The physical and chemical characteristics of whey were determined according to the established regulations as well as its final product ’ s. After the equipment validation, the energy drink was elaborat ed. The product met all the parameters and characteristics posed which indicates that the equipment is perfectly designed for this process. Two formulas of the energy drink were elaborated (formula 1 and formula2). In order to determine acceptability of th e final product, tasting surveys were applied to many students. Formula 1 had a greater acceptance among the interviewed students. This formula met all the quality requirements established in the regulations. The constructed equipment meets all the establi shed parameters for the elaboration of the energy drink. This was determined through the validation of the bioreactor. This equipment designed at a laboratory level works correctly and meets all the posed expectations. It is suggested that this design be p repared at industrial level.