Modeling, control, and optimization of bioprocesses

 

Bioprocesses are based on the activity of biomass or other biological catalysts. Biological processes are very complex in nature, so its modeling and control is not in general an easy task. A better understanding of bioprocesses via a more systematic use of modeling to formalize the knowledge will be helpful towards a more efficient operation of bioprocesses. This research line looks for advancing in that direction, enabling significant increment on efficiency and reliability of some bioprocesses of industrial importance.

Our research focuses on two bioprocesses applications of economical importance for Chile: bioprocesses for environmental protection, i.e. waste treatment, and bioenergy production.

Most of the research conducted in bioprocesses, either for waste stabilization or bioenergy production, aim to increase the understanding of the phenomena involved, or to develop new technology. This often leads to the development of increasingly complicated models. However, for those bioprocesses already under full scale implementation little efforts are usually made in order to simplify available models up to a complexity enabling its use for decision making and overall process control.

Our research is oriented towards the modeling, control and optimization of waste treatment processes and biogas production.

Researchers AM2V: Pedro Gajardo, Cristopher Hermosilla.

Chilean collaborators: Andrés Donoso-Bravo (CETAQUA), Héctor Ramírez C. (U. Chile).

International collaborators: Antoine Haddon (INRA, France), Alain Rapaport (INRA, France).