US 8,571,689 B2 · Model predictive control of fermentation in biofuel production

Abstract

System and method for managing batch fermentation in biofuel production. An optimizer executes a nonlinear multivariate predictive model of a batch fermentation process in accordance with an end of batch objective specifying a target end of batch biofuel concentration to determine an optimal batch trajectory over a temporal control horizon specifying a biofuel and/or sugar concentration trajectory over the batch fermentation process. A nonlinear control model for the batch fermentation process that includes the temporal control horizon driven by biofuel concentration during the batch fermentation process is executed per the determined optimal batch trajectory using received process information as input, thereby generating model output including target values for manipulated variables for the batch fermentation process, including batch fermentation temperature. The batch fermentation process is controlled per the target values to produce biofuel in accordance with the determined optimal batch trajectory, to substantially optimize the end of batch biofuel yield.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A method for managing a batch fermentation process in a biofuel production process, comprising:

providing a nonlinear control model, comprising a nonlinear predictive model of a batch fermentation process of a biofuel production process, wherein the nonlinear predictive model is a function of a volumetric change in a fermentation tank, temperature, and enzyme concentration;
providing an optimal batch temperature trajectory;
executing the nonlinear control model in accordance with the optimal batch temperature trajectory, thereby generating model output comprising target values for a plurality of manipulated variables for the batch fermentation process, wherein the target values comprise a target enzyme addition staging profile during filling of the fermentation tank;
and
controlling an enzyme addition rate during filling of the fermentation tank in accordance with the target enzyme addition staging profile.

2 more elements

A computer-accessible memory medium that stores program instructions for managing a batch fermentation process in a biofuel production process, wherein the memory medium stores:

a nonlinear control model, comprising a nonlinear predictive model of a batch fermentation process of a biofuel production process, wherein the nonlinear predictive model is a function of a volumetric change in a fermentation tank temperature, and enzyme concentration;
program instructions executable to:
provide an optimal batch temperature trajectory;
execute the nonlinear control model in accordance with the optimal batch temperature trajectory, thereby generating model output comprising target values for a plurality of manipulated variables for the batch fermentation process, wherein the target values comprise a target enzyme addition staging profile during filling of the fermentation tank;
and
control an enzyme addition rate during filling of the fermentation tank in accordance with the target enzyme addition staging profile.

3 more elements

A system for managing a batch fermentation process in a biofuel production process, comprising:

a fermenter;
a nonlinear control model, comprising a nonlinear predictive model of a batch fermentation process of a biofuel production process, wherein the nonlinear predictive model is a function of a volumetric change in a fermentation tank temperature, and enzyme concentration;
and
a control system operatively coupled to the nonlinear control model and the fermenter, wherein the control system is operable to:
provide an optimal batch temperature trajectory;
execute the nonlinear control model in accordance with the optimal batch temperature trajectory, thereby generating model output comprising target values for a plurality of manipulated variables for the batch fermentation process, wherein the target values comprise a target enzyme addition staging profile during filling of the fermentation tank;
and
control an enzyme addition rate during filling of the fermentation tank in accordance with the target enzyme addition staging profile.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Model predictive control of fermentation in biofuel production

Life of this patent

Model predictive control of fermentation in biofuel production

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25