Performance modeling and simulation of biochemical process sequences with interacting unit operations

Many biochemical processes consist of a sequence of operations far which op timal operating conditions (setpoints) have to be determined. If such optim ization is performed for each operation separately with respect to objectiv es defined for each operation individually, overall process performance is likely to be suboptimal. Interactions between unit operations have to be co nsidered, and a unique objective has to be defined for the whole process. T his paper shows how a suitable optimization problem can be formulated and s olved to obtain the best overall set of operating conditions for a process. A typical enzyme production process has been chosen as an example. In orde r to arrive at a demonstrative model for the entire sequence of unit operat ions, it is shown how interaction effects may be accommodated in the models . Optimal operating conditions are then determined subject to a global proc ess objective and are shown to be different from those resulting from optim ization of each separate operation. As this strategy may result in an econo mic benefit, it merits further research into interaction modeling and perfo rmance optimization. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.