A dynamic model of a batch crystallizer was used to estimate the kinetic parameters in

Recent attempts to develop sustainability theory propose the use of Fisher information as a sustainability index. The approach has been shown to be suitable for the analysis of ecological models, including dynamic simulations as well as optimal control problems where the objective function involves maximizing or minimizing Fisher information. Nevertheless, Fisher information can also be interpreted as a measure of the degree of variability of a dynamic system. The goal of this work is two-fold. First, we study the scope of using the concept of Fisher information as a sustainability index in dynamic systems different in nature from ecological systems. Then we study the behavior of Fisher information in terms of the variability and performance of the dynamic system rather than using it as a sustainability index. The results of three case studies are presented, including two chemical engineering applications (a continuous crystallization system and a series of three continuous stirred tank reactors) and a dynamic model of immunotherapy (therapeutic optimization). We perform parametric analyses, evaluating the behavior of the value of Fisher information against significant model parameters. In general, although its usefulness as a sustainability index might be difficult to interpret and elucidate in some cases, Fisher information not only can indeed be related to the degree of variability of any dynamic system, but also provides useful insights with potential application in process control.

Modelado de la biodegradación en biorreactores de lodos de hidrocarburos totales del petróleo intemperizados en suelos y sedimentos (Biodegradation modeling of sludge bioreactors of total petroleum hydrocarbons weathering in soil and sediments)

The metastable zone width (MSZW) for the acetylsalicylic acid-ethanol system was determined by the polythermal method. Nucleation parameters were calculated applying the self-consistent Nyvlt-like approach and the classical threedimensional theory approach. The results showed the usual increments in MSZW with increases in the cooling rate, mixed effects when raising the agitation rates, and an unusual behavior that reduced MSZW when the saturation temperature decreased. The apparent nucleation order proved to be independent of all three analyzed variables. The interfacial energy increased with higher saturation temperature and activation energies incremented when agitation rates raised. In general, the two approaches explained closely the experimental results.