Modeling and optimization of bioethanol production process

In this paper, a macroscopic model of yeast culture is presented in the context of bioethanol production optimization. A discussion of the model formulation, based on the seminal work of Sonnleitner and Käppeli, is provided. A parameter identification of the resulting model is first performed and the dispersion of the parameter values is explained through a sensitivity analysis. Following the continuous process stability analysis, a closed-loop optimization of the bioethanol outflow rate using a model-free extremum-seeking algorithm is suggested. Numerical results show the efficiency of the method and its consistency with respect to a realistic time-scale performance.