Optimal adaptive control of a bioprocess with yield-productivity conflict

This paper is concerned with the optimization of biological production proc esses. The process is characterized by a conflict between yield and product ivity as revealed by the analysis of the model. The optimization problem is to find an operating mode that achieves the best trade off between yield a nd productivity. It is shown how this problem can be formulated as a parame tric optimization involving parameters that have a clear engineering meanin g. This parametric optimization leads to the definition of a control proble m which requires a feedback implementation under the form of an adaptive re gulator combined with a software sensor. A simple mechanistic model is cons idered as a benchmark example for this optimization study. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.