A model-based methodology for simultaneous design and control of a bioethanol production process

In this work a model-based methodology to solve an integrated process design and control (IPDC) problem for a bioethanol production process is presented. The IPDC problem is formulated and solved such that the economic performance is optimized in terms of a cost effective design and controllable process. The concepts of attainable region (AR) and driving force (DF) are used within this methodology, to determine the optimal design-control of the process as well as to generate feasible alternatives. Based on this methodology, the optimal solution to the design-control problem is found by locating the maximum value of AR and DF for reactor and separator, respectively. The use of DF and AR concepts are shown to provide an optimal design with respect to energy consumption for the downstream separation units and with respect to controllability for the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) bioreactor unit, respectively, used in the bioethanol production process.