Continuous semi-solid state bioreactor optimization through modeling the internal multiphase flow

• Grant number: 10/00442-5
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2010
• End date: August 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Seleghim Júnior
• Grantee: Paulo Seleghim Júnior
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Analice Costacurta Brandi ; Gherhardt Ribatski ; Grazieli Luiza Costa Carosio ; Igor Polikarpov ; Oscar Mauricio Hernandez Rodriguez ; Vanessa Rolnik Artioli

Abstract

Several factors limit the efficiency of fermentation processes of converting sugars into ethanol, or the transesterification process in biodiesel production, especially in large scale bioreactors (hundreds or thousands of cubic meters). In a sugar cane juice fermentation tank for example, the distribution of residence time affects the efficiency of biochemical reactions: very little time result in an incomplete conversion (high sugar content in wine) and excessively long time results in loss of the ethanol by evaporation. The optimization of this type of equipment results in an inverse problem which is, therefore, intrinsically ill conditioned. The solution of this problem by minimizing an error functional, although extremely interesting because there is no need for rough simplifications, is not possible through traditional numerical methods. Furthermore, the computational effort involved is extremely large, if not impracticable, because of the complexity of the fluid and the geometry involved as well as the scale of the problem. The development of techniques capable to arrive to an optimization with sufficient accuracy in reasonable computational time will have a major impact on the design and operation of high performance bioreactors and, consequently, increasing their operational efficiency. In this context, this research project aims to contribute to the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge through the development of integrated optimization methods, combining the characteristics of deterministic and random search strategies. With this we intend to develop the bases of a methodology for optimal design and operation of industrial scale bioreactors. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

OSAKI, MARCIA R.; SELEGHIM, JR., PAULO. Bioethanol and power from integrated second generation biomass: A Monte Carlo simulation. ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT, v. 141, n. SI, p. 274-284, JUN 1 2017. (10/00442-5)

ANSONI, JONAS LAERTE; SELEGHIM, JR., PAULO. Optimal industrial reactor design: development of a multiobjective optimization method based on a posteriori performance parameters calculated from CFD flow solutions. ADVANCES IN ENGINEERING SOFTWARE, v. 91, p. 23-35, JAN 2016. (10/00442-5)

ANSONI, J. L.; BRANDI, A. C.; SELEGHIM, JR., P.. Resolution of an inverse thermal problem using parallel processing on shared-memory multiprocessor architectures. Inverse Problems in Science and Engineering, v. 23, n. 2, p. 351-375, FEB 17 2015. (10/00442-5)

ANSONI, JONAS LAERTE; SANTIAGO, PATRICIA A.; SELEGHIM, JR., PAULO. Multiobjective optimization of a flat-panel airlift reactor designed by computational fluid dynamics. Chemical Engineering Science, v. 195, p. 946-957, FEB 23 2019. (10/00442-5)

OSAKI, MARCIA R.; SELEGHIM, PAULO, JR.. Bioethanol and power from integrated second generation biomass: A Monte Carlo simulation. ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT, v. 141, p. 11-pg., 2017-06-01. (10/00442-5)