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 fermentatio n were studied. The fermentation process was coupled to a vacuum flash vess el that extracted part of the ethanol. Response surface analysis was used i n combination with modelling and simulation to determine the operational co nditions that maximize yield and productivity. The concepts of factorial de sign 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 c hoice of the operational conditions was important to enable efficient contr ol of the process. The performance of a DMC (Dynamic Matrix Control) algori thm was studied to control the extractive process. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.