Integrated model predictive control of distillation and dehydration sub-processes in a biofuel production process

A system for management of a biofuel production process, comprising:

• a dynamic predictive model-based controller comprising one or more processors;
• and
• at least one memory medium coupled to the one or more processors;
• wherein the at least one memory medium stores program instructions implementing a dynamic multivariate predictive model of distillation and dehydration processes of the biofuel production process, wherein the integrated dynamic multivariate predictive model models transient imbalances in material flows or levels between a batch fermentation process and a continuous distillation process;
• wherein the one or more processors are operable to:
• receive process information from the biofuel production process;
• receive an objective for the distillation and dehydration processes, wherein the objective comprises a target biofuel production rate;
• and
• execute the dynamic multivariate predictive model, thereby generating target values for one or more manipulated variables, wherein the target values comprise a target distillation feed flow rate;
• and
• wherein the controller is operable to control the distillation and dehydration processes in accordance with the target values and the objective, wherein controlling the distillation and dehydration processes comprises controlling the distillation feed in accordance with the target distillation feed flow rate.

A computer-accessible memory medium that stores program instructions for dynamic model predictive control of a biofuel production process, wherein the program instructions are executable to perform:

• receiving an objective from distillation and dehydration processes of the biofuel production process, wherein the objective comprises a target biofuel production rate;
• receiving process information from the biofuel production process;
• and
• executing the dynamic multivariate predictive model to achieve the objective using the process information as input, thereby generating target values for a plurality of manipulated variables, wherein the target values comprise a target distillation feed flow rate;
• wherein the target values for the plurality of manipulated variables are usable to control the distillation and dehydration process of the biofuel production process, and to correct for transient imbalances between a batch fermentation process and a continuous distillation process, wherein controlling the distillation and dehydration process of the biofuel production process comprises controlling the distillation feed in accordance with the target distillation feed flow rate.