Obtaining Technical Know-How of Single Cell Protein (SCP) Production in Continuous Pilot Plant.

SCP project was started in research institute for obtaining technological knowledge for production of single cell protein. The design phase was conducted by designing team of research institute. After finishing the design phase in 1380, the rest of work was left to chemical group. Pilot equipments were constructed in Jahade-e-Tahghighat subsidiary companies. Finishing the equipments construction and civil work, the equipments were installed in the pilot site. In order to finalize the project, piping, instrumentation, automation, and start up were necessary. In that condition, it was approved to progress the plant construction up to the end of thermolysis stage. The activities done so far are as below: • Optimization of growth factors in laboratory scale: in this work factors affecting the growth including, substrate formulation, pH, temperature, aeration, and agitator speed were optimized in 1 liter laboratory fermenter by means of Taguchi method. • Technical review of piping, electrical construction, instrumentation and preparing list of necessary equipments: in this work some corrections were made in former project design plan and list of items necessary to establish the pilot plant was prepared. • Purchasing items necessary for piping, electrical construction, and instrumentation: in this activity, necessary items were purchased from local and global vendors. • Identifying eligible contractors and making contracts for equipments installation: based on verification procedures, "Grouhe Karshenasi Joushe Dokouhe"was selected for piping operation and control group of research institute was selected for electrical construction, instrumentation, and automation system. • Piping construction: this activity was carried out under supervision of research institute representative. • Construction and installation of electrical panels and wiring: construction of panels was carried out by "Faramin Tablou"company. Wiring was done by an eligible contractor selected by control group and supervised by the same group. • PLC control system development and testing: These activities were carried out with cooperation of project engineers and experts of control group of research institute. For PLC system, SIEMENS hardware and software facilities were chosen. Both parts were under supervision of chemical group representative. During start up phase, the control system was optimized. • Instruments installation: Instruments were installed and calibrated by project engineers. • Plant start up: in this phase the performance of each equipment was first tested separately and problems were raised. Then the main process and sterilization schedule were exercised by means of water and steam respectively. After primary preparations, the first run was carried out and resulted in SCP production. The first run was successful and showed that the pilot was capable of producing SCP. After some modifications, the second run was also conducted.