Nonlinear Model Predictive Control of a Biofuel Fermentation Process
First Claim
1. A method for managing a batch fermentation process in a biofuel production process, comprising:
- providing a nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel production in a batch fermentation process of a biofuel production process;
receiving process information for the batch fermentation process;
executing the nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations; and
controlling the batch fermentation process in accordance with the determined values for the one or more fermentation process variables to substantially maximize yeast growth and achieve target fermentable sugar concentrations, wherein said substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations substantially maximizes biofuel production in the batch fermentation process.
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Abstract
System and method for managing batch fermentation in a biofuel production process. A nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel (e.g., fuel ethanol) production in a batch fermentation process (pure and/or fed-batch fermentation) of a biofuel production process is provided. Process information for the batch fermentation process is received, and the nonlinear control model executed using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process, e.g., fermentation temperature and/or enzyme flow, for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations. The batch fermentation process is then controlled in accordance with the determined values for the one or more fermentation process variables to substantially maximize yeast growth and achieve target fermentable sugar concentrations, where substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations substantially maximizes biofuel production in the batch fermentation process.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for managing a batch fermentation process in a biofuel production process, comprising:
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providing a nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel production in a batch fermentation process of a biofuel production process; receiving process information for the batch fermentation process; executing the nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations; and controlling the batch fermentation process in accordance with the determined values for the one or more fermentation process variables to substantially maximize yeast growth and achieve target fermentable sugar concentrations, wherein said substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations substantially maximizes biofuel production in the batch fermentation process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer-accessible memory medium configured for managing a batch fermentation process in a biofuel production process, wherein the memory medium stores:
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a nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel production in a batch fermentation process of a biofuel production process; and program instructions, executable to perform; receiving process information for the batch fermentation process; executing the nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations; and controlling the batch fermentation process in accordance with the determined values for the one or more fermentation process variables to substantially maximize yeast growth and achieve target fermentable sugar concentrations, wherein said substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations substantially maximizes biofuel production in the batch fermentation process. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for managing a batch fermentation process in a biofuel production process, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory medium coupled to the processor, wherein the memory medium stores; a nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration for biofuel production in a batch fermentation process of a biofuel production process; and program instructions, executable by the processor to; receive process information for the batch fermentation process; execute the nonlinear control model of yeast growth and fermentable sugar concentration using the process information as input to determine values of one or more fermentation process variables for the batch fermentation process for substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations; and control the batch fermentation process in accordance with the determined values for the one or more fermentation process variables to substantially maximize yeast growth and achieve target fermentable sugar concentrations, wherein said substantially maximizing yeast growth and achieving target fermentable sugar concentrations substantially maximizes biofuel production in the batch fermentation process. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification