Model-Based Analysis for Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol Production Process through a Dynamic Simulation

This study presents an analysis for acetone, butanol and ethanol production process. Firstly, a systematic methodology for model-based simulation is proposed in order to perform an appropriate modelling task in the analysis of production processes. The implementation of the systematic methodology allowed the evaluation of four ABE production processes with different operating scenarios such as, continuous and continuous with recycle in the enzymatic hydrolysis and ABE fermentation, relying on a benchmarking criterion (kg-butanol/kg-dry-biomass). The results show that recycle in both sections improve butanol production, but especially when this was present in the enzymatic hydrolysis section. The highest yield was found in the configuration with continuous and recycle mode for enzymatic hydrolysis and ABE fermentation.