Bio-conversion targeting using a model-based systems approach

Targeting the reaction performance is usually required to consider mass transfer that in turn stands a major drive in the development of innovative designs. Systems engineering is challenged to offer performance targets and to guide the design towards innovative choices for the process equipment required to deploy. The paper presents systems methodology using a superstructure approach extending previous work in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems building links that promote or deter relative velocities between reaction and mass transfer. The multiphase systems include gas-liquid reactors (e.g. stirred-tank reactors, bubble columns, gas-lift reactors, ejector-based reactors, thin film reactors), liquid-liquid reactors (e.g. column reactors, stirred-tank reactors), gas-solid reactors (e.g. multi-bed reactors, multi-tubular reactors, fluidized bed reactors), gas-solid-liquid reactions (e.g. trickle-bed reactors, slurry reactors, monolithic reactors) and liquid-solid reactors (e.g. stirred tank reactors). The compartments are extended to include DOFs that manipulate reaction over mass transfer selecting compartments with favourable choices for hold ups and mass transfer areas (e.g. bubble sizes). The optimization combines evolutionary methods (simulated annealing algorithm) with mathematical programming. Results illustrate the development of reliable targets along with a list of designs able to achieve this performance linked to non-conventional process equipment.