A systematic framework for biorefinery production optimization

Abstract The integrated biorefinery has the opportunity to provide an independent and sustainable alternative for the production of bulk and fine chemicals. Because of the shift towards producing sustainable energy with minimal environmental impact, there is a need for a methodology capable of evaluating the integrated processes in order to identify the optimal set of products and production pathways. The complexity of the product allocation problem for such processing facilities demands a process systems engineering approach utilizing process integration and mathematical optimization techniques to ensure a targeted approach and serve as an interface between simulation work and experimental efforts. The objective of this work is to assist, the bioprocessing industries in evaluating the profitability of different possible production routes and product portfolios while maximizing stakeholder value through global optimization of the supply chain. To meet these ends, a mathematical optimization based framework has been developed, which enables the inclusion of profitability measures and other technoeconomic metrics along with process insights obtained from experimental as well as modeling and simulation studies. A case study has been included which highlights the robustness of the framework and its utility in decision making.