MNEXT > Vacatures > Y-Fuel – Sustainable Ethanol Production through Yeast Fermentation
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Y-Fuel – Sustainable Ethanol Production through Yeast Fermentation

The search for sustainable energy is driven by the need to improve living standards and address global energy consumption challenges. Fossil fuels, the primary source of energy, have led to significant environmental issues such as pollution and global warming. Consequently, there is a push towards renewable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly energy sources. Among these, liquid biofuels, especially bioethanol, have gained prominence due to their eco-friendly nature and compatibility with gasoline, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Bioethanol is produced through the fermentation of biomass rich in sugar, including sugar beet, sugar cane molasses, whey, and sweet sorghum, as well as lignocellulosic biomass like straw and agricultural waste. Despite its benefits, the efficiency of bioethanol production varies significantly, with some regions achieving lower yields compared to others. Optimizing the fermentation process, particularly through the use of stress-tolerant yeast strains, is crucial for enhancing bioethanol yield and production efficiency.
Startdatum 01 September 2025
Solliciteren voor 22 August 2025
Ervaring Internship
Locatie Breda
Solliciteren

Assignment Description

As an intern at MNEXT, your primary objective for this internship project is to conduct a feasibility test on bioethanol production using an exotic stress-tolerant yeast strain isolated from biowastes and byproducts of a sugar factorie. This project will focus on comparison of the production of bioethanol by using this yeast and common yeast. The secondary goal is to evaluation the ethanol yield and productivity using different Dutch oringined sugar sources as substrats.

Project Description

1. Literature Review and Understanding Bioethanol Production:

  • Conduct a comprehensive review of current bioethanol production methods.
  • Study the characteristics and benefits of bioethanol over traditional fossil fuels.
  • Understand the role of yeast and other microorganisms in the fermentation process.

2. Optimization of Fermentation Parameters:

  • Investigate and optimize the fermentation conditions (pH, temperature, sugar concentration) for the selected yeast strains.
  • Conduct experiments to determine the optimal conditions for maximum ethanol yield for the exotic strain.

3. Comparative Analysis:

  • Compare the performance of selected exotic strain with conventional strains used in bioethanol production.
  • Analyze the efficiency of bioethanol production in terms of yield, productivity, and cost-effectiveness.

4. Data Analysis and Reporting:

  • Collect and analyze data from fermentation experiments.
  • Prepare detailed reports on the findings and suggest improvements for industrial bioethanol production processes.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Fermentation feasibility test on selected yeast strains with various substrates,
  • Optimized fermentation parameters leading to higher bioethanol yields with Dutch origined substrates and selected exotic yeast strain.

Skills and Competencies Gained:

  • Hands-on experience in microbiological techniques and fermentation processes.
  • Analytical skills in optimizing bioethanol production.
  • Experience in data analysis, reporting, and impact assessment.

Working language: we have a multidisciplinary and international team. Therefore, the language is English. Some of the researchers also speak Dutch.

Starting Date & Compensation

  • The length of the internship graduation assignment is approximately 20-30 weeks, depending on the scope and depth of the research conducted.
  • The student will get an internship fee of €350, – per month.
Meer informatie? Neem contact op met:

Stefano Roccio

Mail s.roccio@avans.nl Telefoon 31885255831 Solliciteer direct

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