Generic flowsheet model for early inventory estimates of industrial microbial processes. II. Downstream processing

Abstract

To ensure optimal process flowsheet selection it is valuable to conduct environmental and economic comparisons at an early stage of technology selection and process design. However, the data that is needed to perform these studies are not available at this stage of process development. This is also true for bioprocess systems. To overcome the lack of data, the CeBER (Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, University of Cape Town) Bioprocess Modeller was developed to provide material and energy values for industrial microbial processes. This paper presents the downstream processing portion of this flowsheet. The model allows for solid–liquid separation, cell disruption, concentration and formulation units as required. The model allows section of appropriate downstream processing units include, amongst others, centrifugation, filtration, precipitation and freeze-drying. At each downstream processing stage, non-reacting and reacting chemicals can be added. The model provides both a material inventory as well as the calculation of the energy input required and waste heat generated. Additionally, the model includes a database of values (including constants, operating conditions and others), drawn from various industrial norms and academic sources. Should specific information not be known, the model selects the most appropriate values based on other decisions made through the model.

Keywords

• Generic flow sheeting
• Bioprocess design
• Modelling
• Downstream processing
• CeBER Bioprocess Modeller
• Penicillin