Factorial design and simulation for the optimization and determination of control structures for an extractive alcoholic fermentation

The design, optimization and control of an extractive alcoholic fermentation were studied. The fermentation process was coupled to a vacuum flash vessel that extracted part of the ethanol. Response surface analysis was used in combination with modelling and simulation to determine the operational conditions that maximize yield and productivity. The concepts of factorial design were used in the study of the dynamic behaviour of the process, which was used to determine the best control structures for the process. A good choice of the operational conditions was important to enable efficient control of the process. The performance of a DMC (Dynamic Matrix Control) algorithm was studied to control the extractive process. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.