Optimization of cellulose hydrolysis in a non-ideally mixed reactors. (2nd September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fenila, F.; Shastri, Yogendra
• Is Part Of: Computers & chemical engineering. Volume 128(2019)
• Page Start: 340
• Page End: 351
• Publication Date: 2019-09-02
• Subjects: Mixing -- Hydrolysis -- Optimization -- Batch -- Fed-batch; Chemical engineering -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 660.0285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2019.06.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0098-1354

Abstract

Highlights: Non-ideally mixed batch and fed-batch reactors modelled using compartmental approach. Glucose and profit maximization problems solved for batch and fed-batch reactors. Assuming ideal mixing reduced profit by up to 48% in a non-ideally mixed reactor. The impact of mixing is dominant for smaller batch times. Significant changes in feeding pattern for non-ideally mixed fed-batch reactor. Abstract: Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose in a non-ideally mixed reactor is studied in this work. The reactor is divided into 36 compartments connected by circulation and exchange flows, and each compartment is modeled as a well-mixed reactor. Reaction kinetics and heat balance models for batch and fed-batch mode of operation are integrated with the compartmental model for process optimization of a 3 m 3 reactor. Maximization of glucose and profit problems were solved for the batch mode of operation. The glucose concentration and profit improved by 3.19 and 6.63%, respectively, after considering non-ideal mixing. The impact was particularly critical for batch times smaller than 24 h. For fed-batch reactor, a problem maximizing profit while maintaining 10% solid loading using optimal control improved profit by 11.23% when non-ideality in mixing was considered. The results illustrated the value of considering non-ideal mixing in operating the reactors.