The purpose of this research consist of microalgae biomass productivity prediction in a large scale plant from Chlorella vulgaris using SuperPro Designer software. Two culture media were evaluated to identify their potential use in large-scale processes: (a) the Bold Basal medium enriched with sodium acetate and (b) a growth medium for high cell density cultures proposed from references. Results found in this research suggest that simulated plant should reach a capacity to generate 1.4 kg/h of biomass at a cost of 1.44 USD/g using Bold Basal medium. In contrast, a productivity of 28 kg/h at a cost of 0.14 USD/g was found using a medium proliferation of highly dense microalgae cultures. These findings suggest that Bold Basal medium could negatively impact operating costs, limiting its use in large-scale processes regarding nutraceutics production. Results found here demonstrate the potential usage of simulators for estimating costs and production which allows predicting the bioprocess feasibility.

Anti-thrombin III is a protein performing anticoagulant function by preventing coagulation process and currently it is used in critical Covid-19 patients. In the present research, recombinant anti-thrombin production at large scale is simulated using SuperPro Designer. Special emphasis was analysed for the elucidation of required unit operation at industrial scale. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast is fed with 50 g/L carbon source together with 1.9 g/L amino acids and 6.7 g/L nitrogenous yeast base. All yields are taken from current references. The process is divided in two stages: upstream and downstream. In upward flow a total 11.2 g/L of biomass is calculated. Subsequently, anti-thrombin extraction and purification strategies are proposed. Interestingly, a purified anti-thrombin protein is obtained at 312 mg/L. Based on the latter, the large scale plant proposed in this research can reach 26 vials/hour produced at a concentration of 250 mg. Also productivity and prefeasibility are evaluated and annual production of 205,920 anti-thrombin vials is calculated. Therefore, each vial has a production cost of 180 USD. Based on the authors knowledge, information regarding antithrombin large scale trends are scarce. That is why this is the motivation of this research to perform a computational estimate for the large scale operations involved for the anti-thrombin production.

A dynamic model is presented to simulate a fermentation process for bioethanol production from banana rejected using a batch system. The critical model feature is using an inhibition function to relate substrate concentration and specific growth rate. Kinetic parameters were calculated based on previous experimental data, and the optimal substrate concentration is investigated. The Andrews kinetic model was adapted to the concentration profiles, indicating that it could describe the existence of substrate and product inhibition. Different initial substrate concentrations were evaluated (90-400 g/L), and simulated results suggest 200 g/L of rejected banana as a starting point to reach a high and efficient bioethanol production since a maximal ethanol production is reached with a value of 150 g/L. However, when using a higher banana, rejected concentration inhibition occurs, and therefore bioethanol production decreases to reach levels lower than 100 g/L. Based on results found, kinetic models allow obtaining important observations on microbial metabolic processes and facilitating a good approximation for further large-scale stages.

Fossil fuels have become a great energy source worldwide. However, its prolonged use has caused severe environmental pollution problems. Biofuels generated from biomass as a product of microbial biotechnology emerge as an alternative to the use of compounds derived from oil. Therefore, their production results in complex experiments and source investment. That is why engineering studies implementation using mathematical models and simulation techniques should be specified in bioprocesses. The latter focused on optimizing the process parameters, maximizing productivity, generating greater profitability, and reducing cost. This research aimed at the computer-assisted evaluation of obtaining bioethanol from Saccharomyces cerevisiae to determine the most critical factors in the production process using a continuous mode. It was determined that the feed rate significantly influences the bioethanol volumetric productivity.

Itaconic acid is a metabolite produced from biotechnological pathway using the microorganism Aspergillus terreus. It is used in a wide number of sectors such as industry, agriculture and health. Based on its chemical properties, itaconic acid is a great interest for replacing polymers and resins derived from petroleum. However, its production is still expensive and this latter hinders large scale studies regarding itaconic acid production. Nowadays, simulation is a great alternative to overcome this problem. It allows researchers to make a more effective evaluation and self-assessment, reducing costs and avoiding losses at large scale operation. For that reason, the purpose of this research is performing an Itaconic acid production simulation on industrial scale using SuperPro Designer software. Costs reduction improvement is also analyzed. 90g/L of glycerol, 1g/L of NH4NO3 and 1.25 of KH2PO4 are set up on simulation as media composition reported from references. Results regarding itaconic acid crystals showed a productivity of 171 kg/h and an operating cost closed to 42.0 USD/kg. Interestingly, a 17 % productivity increase is reached by proposing a stream recycling based on itaconic acid recovering from downstream centrifugation processing. The latter based on a higher productivity estimated (200 kg/h). Also average costs are reduced at 12 % since 38.1 USD/kg is found using improvements mentioned. Results found here demonstrate the potential usage of simulators for estimating costs and production which allows predicting the bioprocess feasibility.